THE North-East must be empowered to lead the Northern Powerhouse, a business organisation has warned.

The North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) says Chancellor George Osborne needs to use his Budget to leverage the region’s strengths to greater effect.

In a pre-Budget submission to George Osborne, Ross Smith, NECC director of policy, said decisions need to be more responsive to local and regional economic conditions if the North-East is to build on its economic momentum.

Mr Smith said the NECC hopes announcements over upgrades to North-East roads will be carried out as soon as possible, with the organisation also supportive of Heathrow Airport as a national asset and the £15bn Transport for North (TfN) proposal.

He said: “TfN represents a massive opportunity for the North.

“It will help improve investment in Northern transport infrastructure, but also help us fight collectively for a bigger slice of the cake as a more effective counterweight to London and the South-East.

“We back IPPR North’s request to Mr Osborne to use this Budget to create a £15bn transport devolution package.

“This is absolutely necessary to fire up the Northern Powerhouse.”

The NECC has also urged the Chancellor to bolster the North-East economy.

“Our economy has more strength and depth than ever before,” added Mr Smith.

“As well as an international trade record better than any other part of the UK, real wages are among the highest in the country, while productivity and the overall cost of doing business make the North-East a great asset for the national economy.”