Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to visit North East today
He’s expected to talk to children, parents and carers, outlining that 1.3 million households in the North East will benefit from an average decrease of Β£117 to their energy bills.
He will also highlight how the governmentβs plan for schools, published on Monday, will raise standards across the region.
The Prime Minister will say that his brother, Nick, who had learning difficulties, has been an inspiration to him in his mission to break down barriers to opportunity for young people so they can go wherever their talent will take them.
He will set out how Mission North East, a new school improvement programme announced this week.
Mr Starmer said: “The North East is a place with real pride in its communities. I promised to do everything in my power to deliver real and lasting change for them as Prime Minister.
βI’m pulling every lever to make that happen, and Iβm proud of the change that every generation in the North East is beginning to feel.
“From taking Β£117 off energy bills to supporting retired coalminers and driving up standards in our schools, this Government is proving that action speaks louder than words.
βThe North East deserves a government on their side, working for them, and that’s exactly what we are doing.”
The Prime Minister will also set out that 4,234 retired coalminers will receive a Β£5,500 lump sum following a Β£2.3 billion investment into the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme.
The Prime Minister said that the government will roll out 145 free breakfast clubs in the North East by April, which can be accessed by 31,000 children.
North East mayor Kim McGuinness said: “This is excellent news for children in the North East.
“We’re ready to work with the government on creating opportunities for all, and our schools are key to changing life chances for all.
“That means backing our great North East teachers and schools with the tools they need to support our young people.
“We’ll add to that in the region with our Β£1 bus fares for young people, lower travel costs for all and more trades and careers for people finishing education.”