MEMBERS of the North East Shadow MPC were surprisingly buoyant, many reporting business as good as, if not better than, last year despite the tumultuous events of the year. Optimism was slightly tempered for 2021 with Brexit and the consequences of the economic measures taken to mitigate the pandemic. Members unanimously voted to hold interest rates at the current level, although a couple of members mooted a reduction in the New Year and spoke about the possible impact of negative rates. The MPC is a partnership between The Northern Echo and Darlington Building Society, which considers the state of the region’s economy and gives experts from a variety of sectors the opportunity to argue their case for a shift, or hold, in the rate.