£42,900 (2006/2008) for a report 'Never Had It So Good? - the North East under New Labour 1997-2007', and for follow-up discussions

This study, which was published to coincide with the government’s tenth anniversary, received wide media coverage when it was launched in May 2007. It assessed how the region has changed over the last ten years and provided a comprehensive analysis of ‘where we are now’. It concluded that there is still a ‘North-South Divide’ and that there are also great divides and differences within the region. Five overarching themes were identified: economic development; cultural change; the well-being of young people; challenges of an ageing population; and the implications of climate change. The report provided the basis for informed debate about the development of the region with those who should be most concerned about the ‘widening gap’ and other inequalities.

In 2007 a further grant was approved towards the costs of arranging a series of 'round-tables' for follow-up discussion of the findings of the report, in particular those relating to the economy of the region, climate change, health and young people. The round-tables brought representatives from all sectors together with regional policy-makers. Reports on the four discussions are available from Fred Robinson.

Policy impacts and outcomes

• The report ‘Never Had It so Good?’ (available via the website address below) provided a thoroughly researched and accessible assessment of the changes that had taken place during ten years of New Labour.
• Coverage of the report on 1st May 2007 took the whole front pages of the Northern Echo under ‘Ten Years of Blair in Power: the Verdict’ and the Newcastle Journal under ‘Better but Worse’.
• Following numerous presentations by Fred Robinson, the report was used by individuals appointed to senior posts in the region, and by groups such as the NE Group of MPs’ research staff and the NE Network of Local Authority Assistant Chief Executives.
• Four Round-Table sessions (on the Economy of the Region, Public Health, Climate Change and Young People) involving participants from all sectors provided a rare opportunity for networking and open discussion.

© The Millfield House Foundation 2010. Registered Charity No. 271180.