Business backs devolution plan

Swan Hunter is the latest to add their support for a regional assembly

One of the north-east's biggest employers has backed the idea of a regional assembly.

On Sunday, the head of Swan Hunter ship builders at Wallsend, Jaap Kroese, said an assembly could help the region through economic problems.

The founder of the Gateshead MetroCentre shopping mall, Sir John Hall, has already publicly reaffirmed his support for devolution.

With just nine months to go until a referendum, both sides of the argument are actively recruiting business supporters.

John Tomaney, of the 'Yes' campaign said the move by Swan Hunter showed businesses were coming round to the idea of a regional assembly.

'Politically driven'

He said: "We began the New Year by tackling this idea that businesses are against a regional assembly.

"We have done it by producing two legends of north-east business.

"It is early days but we think it is a fair start in terms of dealing with the argument that business is against a regional assembly - it isn't."

But Tom Baker, chairman of the Derwentside Industrial Group, said until they got more information they were all against an assembly.

The 'No' campaign said they had about 10 firms opposed to the idea.

Neil Heron of the 'No' campaign, said many north-east businesses remain to be convinced about the benefits of an assembly.

"There are a lot of sceptical businessmen out there who want to see the bones of this, they want to see what substance an assembly is going to have ", he said.

"When we find out it is going to have no more money and very little power... it would be great if it was business driven, but I think it is going to be politically driven."