Kate Osborne MP: Local firms are the backbone of good jobs and thriving communities

Last week I met with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) to discuss the challenges businesses face on a daily basis and the practical support they need to grow, invest and continue employing local people. Those conversations are hugely important, but nothing beats seeing first-hand the reality on the ground.

When I meet our local businesses, I’m reminded of the drive, skill and community spirit that small and medium-sized businesses bring to our area. From construction firms to hospitality venues, these businesses are not just places of work – they are part of the fabric of our communities.

I was delighted to visit Trustmark Roofing and Building Ltd last week and meet the directors – all local lads – after they won Best Roofing Contractor at the Prestige Awards. Their success is a real testament to hard work, skill and local pride. Like many in the construction industry, they also spoke honestly about the pressures they face, from rising material costs to skills shortages. These are challenges that need serious attention if we want to ensure the next generation can build rewarding careers locally.

I enjoyed visiting Tiger Grill in Hebburn, a great example of local entrepreneurship and community focus. Independent hospitality businesses like this create jobs, bring people together and help keep our communities alive. Supporting local businesses is not just good economics – it protects the character and vibrancy of our communities.

As Chair of the North East APPG, I know that transport links are the number one concern of local businesses, I have been campaigning for years for the Leamside line to be reopened, the last Tory Government said they would re-open the Leamside line and then u-turned on that pledge within 24 hours!

I am delighted that our Labour Government is now making this a reality and reconnecting towns and villages in the Jarrow and Gateshead East constituency and across the North East, we are transforming public transport and growth across our region.

This focus on local industry feels especially important this year, as we mark the 90th anniversary of the Jarrow Crusade. The Jarrow Crusade remains one of the most powerful symbols of solidarity and the fight for justice anywhere in our country.

That history matters because the same fundamental questions still face us now: how do we create good jobs, raise living standards, and ensure our communities are not left behind? The answer, as it was then, lies in a strong local economy rooted in skilled work, thriving businesses and public investment.

That’s why it has been genuinely encouraging to see our shipbuilding and ship repair industry once again making history on the Tyne. Recently, one of the largest cruise ships to dock on the river in more than twenty years arrived at APCL A&P Tyne in Hebburn for a major refit. Over several intensive weeks, highly skilled local workers are carrying out complex maintenance and refurbishment, supporting good jobs, apprenticeships and local supply chains.

This work demonstrates what our region can achieve when we back British industry. It strengthens the Tyne’s reputation as a leading destination for large-scale maritime repair and shows the value of companies rooted in place, committed to local skills and prepared to invest for the long term.

Along the River Tyne, yards such as Palmers once employed generations of families, providing pride, purpose and prosperity. The Margaret Thatcher-led devastation of the 1980s, when tens of thousands of shipyard jobs were lost, was not inevitable – it was the result of political choices that treated manufacturing communities as expendable. We must never repeat those mistakes.

That is why I will continue to argue strongly for government commitment to UK shipyards like A&P Tyne. Our proud industrial past must not just be something we commemorate; it must be the foundation of a bright industrial future.

I’m also proud of the way local businesses support the wider community, from community groups, to our charities to sponsoring our football clubs – we come together with a vibrant local economy delivering enormous social value.

With the right choices, the right investment and the same spirit of solidarity, we can ensure our local economy once again delivers secure work, rising living standards and hope for the future.

Don’t forget that during this historic year, I’ll be organising and attending events locally and nationally to ensure the 90th anniversary of the Jarrow Crusade gets the attention it deserves. These will be shaped by the people of Jarrow and South Tyneside, we have already held our first meeting – so get in touch now to get involved.

Of course if you are a local business who wants a visit, get in touch as well [email protected]​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​