In conversation with Sarah Glendinning, Regional Director, North East, CBI, about the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership, CBI, North of Tyne and North East Combined Authorities and other partner agencies have established an Economic and Business Response and Recovery Group to try and help businesses through this tough time and work for the best possible outcome on the other side.

The group will form the basis for the organisations to work together in efforts to coordinate appropriate support to local businesses in light of the immediate and long-term economic impacts of COVID-19.

This is an incredibly challenging time for the whole of the region, with immediate impact for our local businesses and employees.

The scale of these matters is immense and will require concentrated effort of our local organisations to seek to coordinate the promised national level support to address the immediate and long-term challenges arising from this crisis. Our focus this week has been on receiving and communicating the flow of national information out to the community.

We have done this through communications issued through our websites and social media. At this stage it is essential that we sequence our approach with the National Government responses to minimise confusion where possible. However, this is a rapidly evolving situation and we will continue to keep track of the national schemes as details emerge and consider what actions are then appropriate locally to ensure effective support for our local businesses.

The rapidly changing situation for many is a real concern, but we are here to offer any support and advice we can, and it is critical that the national level support, which will be forthcoming, is effectively targeted and accessed by local businesses.

We would suggest that people follow our social media or get in touch directly through the North East Growth Hub. We would like to thank businesses for their patience at this very challenging time and assure them we are here to help and will pass on any national guidance as soon as we are informed.

For more information about the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group, please see here.

For the latest advice and guidance for businesses and employers on COVID-19, please visit www.northeastgrowthhub.co.uk. For one to one support on the latest support and funding available for businesses, please book an appointment with the Growth Hub Connect team.