Built on working class ambition, the North East’s previous economic successes were driven by coal mining and shipyard industry up until the enforcement of Thatcherism. Known as ‘The woman who divided a nation’, Margaret Thatcher’s introduction of privatisation and deregulation favoured the South, allowing employment rates, infrastructure, development and financial systems to flourish. Yet this sparked controversy in polarising the North and rendering a halt to the economy, raising the question of if the North East is still suffering the consequences?
there is a profound disadvantage that is faced from a young age, particularly in terms of education, poverty and a lack of regional opportunities.
It is evident in researched released from the Education Policy Institute, ‘Children growing up in the region have a lower life expectancy, are more likely to be born into disadvantaged contexts, are more likely to perform poorly in secondary education and are more likely to experience child poverty', there is a profound disadvantage that is faced from a young age, particularly in terms of education, poverty and a lack of regional opportunities.
Having spoken with Tom Swaddle, a Stage 1 student at Northumbria University from Whitley Bay, he allowed me to see how his experience being from the North East shapes his views surrounding his potential and his likelihood to become successful
The South of the UK has conducted development at a rapid rate, enabling this half of the country a lot more social and economic mobility, more private investments in infrastructure, development, regenerative programmes and generating more jobs. The distinct opportunity to experience success and career progression navigates itself around southern parts of the country, abandoning possibilities the North may posses.
success is defined through people's friendliness, strong sense of identity and community spirit.
Success is definitely not impossible in the North East, many influential stars including, Sam Fender, Ant and Dec, Rowan Atkinson, Cheryl Cole and Alan Shearer are lucky enough to call the North East their homeland. An economic legacy of success may not be rooted in the heart of this part of the country, but when it comes to navigating a sense of belonging, success is defined through people's friendliness, strong sense of identity and community spirit.
Despite what seems like a plethora of limitations, economic successes and opportunities may be on the horizon, the recent development of off shore energy may assist economic potential forecast for the North East. The Crown Estate Offshore Wind Round 6, announced to open early 2027, is projected to generate £12 billion and create 10,000 jobs.
As more opportunities arise, potential success may be more obtainable, but there is still so much further to come in creating opportunities and pursuing a fair advantage that the North East has not yet experienced. Opportunity is definitely still limited but can we have faith in the friendliest and most welcoming region in the UK, to thrive in any opportunity presented.