Priority four - An inclusive economy

We will continue to grow the economy of Stockton-on-Tees and cement our role as the well-connected, economic heart of the Tees Valley. We will ensure that all of our residents can benefit from secure and sustainable economic opportunities.

Our long-term approach will encourage sustained economic growth across the Borough, and a more equitable distribution of the wealth that we generate. We will focus equally on economic growth, inclusivity and skills development, through a complementary set of themes that develop new economic roles with well paid, good quality jobs, to ensure we become a place recognised for good work, fair pay and responsible business ownership.

Key Moves

Delivering and sustaining economic growth

We will rapidly grow and broaden the employment, business, skills and enterprise base. Our interventions will help businesses to grow faster and to better innovate, whilst also developing new economic roles and functions in Stockton-on-Tees.

We will encourage inward investment from companies that have good and fair operating principles, with benefits to the Borough through the creation of well paid jobs. We will work with businesses to maximise their local impact through their company commitments to things like Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Environmental Social and Governance criteria (ESG) and the growing B-Corp movement that seeks to increase the positive impact companies make on workers, communities, customers and the planet.

Through our communications messaging and activity we will work closely with our partners to change the image and investor perceptions of Stockton-on-Tees so we can grow the Borough's profile as a place to live, work and invest.

Ensuring all our residents can benefit from economic opportunities by delivering and embedding a fairer distribution of wealth

Stockton-on-Tees will be recognised place of good work and fair pay. We will strive to ensure that as many employers as possible offer safe and supportive workplaces, that promote and support staff health and wellbeing.

We will support our residents to access secure and sustainable employment, by helping them to develop and make the most of their skills. We will focus efforts on communities that have more prevalent issues with lower skills and lower wages, as well as people facing barriers to employment, such as those living with a disability or those with long term health conditions.

We will work with our local companies to increase their positive impact on local communities, the local environment and supply chains, ensuring that more wealth is retained here and circulates locally. Stockton-on-Tees will be recognised place of responsible business and local ownership.

We will also build on community strengths and grow resilience, by helping to put more economic assets in the hands of our local communities and by encouraging communities to invest and spend with local companies to promote growth.

Cementing our role as the well-connected, economic heart of Tees Valley

We will work with our partners to deliver our shared strategic transport priorities, including improved connectivity and enhanced infrastructure for our residents, workers and visitors. This will include: new and improved railway stations and providing attractive options for active travel through cycleways and pathways.

Our highway infrastructure will be well maintained, so road users can move around with ease and ensure inward investment continues to flourish. We will also work with communities and providers to increase the use of public transport and ensure options are available that promote inclusion by meeting the needs of communities.

We will maximise our digital strengths, ensuring that digital infrastructure and skills are an enabler for growth across all sectors. This will see us make the most of our high levels of ultrafast broadband and digital inclusion across the borough. We will also build on our established digital cluster, and harness expertise to develop new innovations in care-tech and health-tech that support delivery of our ambitions for a Care and Health Innovation Zone.

We all have a part to play - how can you support the continued growth of an inclusive economy?

There's a big role to play for all of us, by promoting our Borough as a place where business, innovation and careers can thrive, and where there's an expectation of equity and fairness.

Here are just some of the things you can do to support our key moves for this priority and help make our vision a reality:

support local businesses and shop close to home, helping local companies to succeed, creating job opportunities and increasing the impact of the 'Stockton-on-Tees £'
become a Stockton-on-Tees Business Ambassador and talk up your town with confidence and pride, using some of the tools provided by the Council and our partners
boost your skills and knowledge by taking a course with any of the great providers operating across the Borough - this might support your future employment or lead you to a new hobby to enjoy with like-minded people
if you run a business, explore Social Responsibility opportunities that will mutually benefit your business, local people and the environment
think about starting your own business, in an area that supports your community or local supply chain. Find out how we can help