Billionaire Phones4U founder John Caudwell is to discuss his proposals to reboot the economy with the Treasury.
The tycoon has outlined plans for a huge investment drive – and says Ministers want to know more.
His Caudwell Pandemic Recovery plan calls for vastly more apprenticeships to get young people back into work and the creation of a renewable energy city to boost industry.
He also wants more spending on infrastructure and initiatives to attract foreign investment.
Caudwell, worth an estimated £1.5billion, said Boris Johnson is lending his support, adding He s putting me in touch with the Treasury to discuss how much of this is affordable.
Matt Hancock to make only minor changes to tiers as North-East decision expected THE Health Secretary Matt Hancock is expected to only make minor changes to the tiering allocations for Covid restrictions ahead of the Christmas easing of measures. Mr Hancock will update MPs on Thursday morning, after the picture worsened for Wales as it emerged 11,000 positive tests had been missed. The North-East is set to find out whether it will stay in Tier 3, although leaders last night renewed suggestion a move to Tier 2 is currently unlikely. Sources this morning suggested that Mr Hancock will not make many changes to the current tier allocations in England.
Bishop Auckland during lockdown restrictions in October Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT THE North-East is set to find out whether it will continue under the strictest tier of restrictions over the Christmas period today. The Government is expected to this morning announce whether the region will remain under Tier 3 rules in the first review of measures since the four-week national lockdown came to an end. The Northern Echo understands that MPs across our region were last night briefed on what tier the region would be placed under as authority leaders renewed claims that a move to Tier 2 is currently unlikely. On Wednesday afternoon, sources close to council leaders across the region said that nothing had changed since discussions between them, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick and Government health officials, took place on Friday.
“Nothing has changed on that and it’s absolutely right that the police continue to do that.” Ms Patel later said the police have been “exceptional” in adopting to changes to laws and guidance, as well as educating the public throughout the pandemic. Home Secretary Priti Patel said she would inform the police if she saw people breaching coronavirus laws over Christmas. Asked if she would advise the public to report breaches over the festive period, she said: “Any individual that saw any laws being broken would take that upon themselves. “If I saw somebody flouting coronavirus regulations and the laws, of course I would look to inform the police about that.
Stockton High Street during local lockdown restrictions Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT THE North-East is braced to continue under Tier 3 restrictions as authority leaders suggest the situation has not changed since talks began earlier this week. Today, meetings have been taking place between council and authority leaders across our region on what restrictions are likely to apply. The Government are expected to formally announce which areas will go under what tiers in a statement tomorrow morning after addressing MPs tonight. But this afternoon ahead of the decision, the Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said it was looking increasingly likely that the region will continue under Tier 3.