Global Britain cannot be global without the regions

Britain was forged in the fires of the Industrial Revolution. Regions like Teesside were the powerhouses that helped build a global economy. Towns like Middlesbrough, once proudly stood as “Ironopolis”, at the centre of global industry. The metals produced in our foundries were laid across continents, forming the foundations of infrastructure from the boot of Italy to the Bay of Bengal. Teesside did not merely supply materials, it fuelled progress and helped define Britain’s reputation as a nation of makers, not just of shopkeepers.

Our heritage is not just history. It is a blueprint for our future. Our steel surpassed that of Solingen in Germany and our neighbours in Sheffield. Our products were in demand because of their quality and reliability. The jobs created in these industries provided not just wages, but entire livelihoods that supported families and built communities which remain with us today.

Britain now finds itself at a juncture. In the aftermath of Brexit, and amid challenges posed by the cost-of-living crisis, our economy needs rebalancing. We cannot rely on financial services in the South or on old models of EU-centred trade. Nor can we afford to treat manufacturing as an Ozymandian relic of the past. We must look to our regions. We must make things again, with a renewed focus on innovation, resilience and exports.

This is not about restoring what was lost. It is about modernising what already exists. Harnessing the potential of our regional economies. Global Britain cannot be global if it overlooks its own heartlands. We must focus on developing skills. Empowering entrepreneurs and SMEs by creating a legislative and tax environment that supports them. Cut red tape which prevents our exporters from getting their goods and services into global markets.

Despite challenges, Teesside delivers results. We are witnessing a resurgence in manufacturing and tech-led enterprise. The Expanded Metal Company in Hartlepool, founded in 1889, employs more than 90 local people producing specialist materials used across sectors around the globe. Their legacy is matched by their modern-day innovation, as they continue to operate in cutting-edge fields with an export-driven model.

Middlesbrough is the fastest growing tech hub outside London with over 150 companies now operating there. In the last decade, wider Teesside saw its number of enterprises increase by 29% compared to 17% nationally. The GVA from Teesside’s tech is almost £500 million. This growth is no accident. It is the result of a concerted regional effort. The Tees Valley’s Boho Zone, a cluster designed to support digital and creative businesses, has played a key role. So too has the Tees Advanced Manufacturing Park, providing world-class infrastructure for tech enterprises. Teesside University is offering industry-focused degrees and a stream of skilled graduates in digital, engineering and technical disciplines.

Through the work of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Trade and Investment, we are exploring how we make Global Britain more than just a slogan. As Co-Chair, I have concluded that Global Britain must be underpinned by a serious and inclusive economic strategy, starting with a region-specific industrial policy prioritising advanced manufacturing, clean energy and digital innovation. Including bold incentives for SMEs, such as enhanced tax relief, direct growth grants, and a simpler regulatory system will allow businesses to focus on building, not box-ticking.

In my capacity as Mayor of Tees Valley and Co-Chair of the APPG, businesses keep telling me that our national export support remains wanting. I hear tale after tale of SMEs in the North of England struggling to break into international markets due to a lack of resources and government support programmes. They tell me that we need more regional export hubs, with more experienced trade advisers, giving local firms the tools they need to compete globally.

If Britain wants to lead on the global stage, then it must unlock the full potential of its regions. A strong Global Britain must be a Britain that backs Teesside, and the regions. We’re exploring this widely in the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Trade and Investment and I encourage businesses investing in Britain to engage in these discussions.