The decline of shipbuilding and coal mining has hit this seat hard, just like many of its neighbouring seats in the north east of England. The major sources of employment here are now in manufacturing and other light industries and are concentrated in the Crowther, Pattinson and Armstrong industrial estates. There is also an industrial area in the Gateshead East part of the seat, next to the River Tyne.

Many constituents commute into Sunderland and Newcastle to work. This also means that public transport is a major issue, and the proposals to extend the Metro in Tyne & Wear are supported locally.