What we are beginning to witness is a whole new set of rules for economics, based on rationing resources.

Improving the quality of life for people of this country is perhaps the most important duty of Government

I was the one that brought it in, but not only for the north-east, for every area so we can develop all the regional economies, lift up the national productivity, get greater wealth and share it more evenly.

The Green Belt is a Labour achievement - and we mean to build on it.

I have only been seeking to get them to the negotiating table and, thank God, that's where they are.

If you look at Newcastle or Gateshead, even over twenty years, even with the previous administration, it has moved quite remarkably in transforming itself.

It's moving in the right direction. It was in decline under the previous administration.