Trade Triangle Inquiry
On the 9th October 2025, the APPG launched the ‘Trade Triangle’ Inquiry at Teesside Airport with Lord Houchen, Mayor of Tees Valley. We collected evidence from a roundtable discussion with 21 Small and Medium Sized business representatives from in and around the Tees Valley region. This marked the start of Trade Triangle Inquiry and we have submitted a written call for evidence, asking the following:
Do you agree with the 8 growth priority sectors outlined in the Industrial Strategy? Or do you think there is something missing?
As a manufacturing business, is there currently enough local access to Research & Development funding to help your business to grow?
How can government further address skills shortages and gaps within Teesside? Are a lack of digital skills the main problem for you?
What benefits do you think the freeport provides and how do you currently engage with it?
Which international trading relationships and agreements are currently most benefitting you as a business and where are you based?
What are your ambitions for scaling-up and what further regional support would you value? What role can devolution, combined authorities and metro mayors play in promoting this growth?
What is access to finance like locally? Are you making use of any regional grants?
Have late payments by larger organisations impacted your business’s ability to operate?
Where could government go further with its support for you as a business based in Teesside or elsewhere?