Last week, Councillor Cliff Foggo and I welcomed Treasury Minister Rob Jenrick to Skelton-in-Cleveland to visit two great businesses on the industrial estate, Wcib Marketing and Homeware Essentials.
Both businesses are great examples of our growing economy, with expansion plans well underway. WCIB owner Charles King told us how their new warehouse will start being built literally this week - watch the video to hear the great story of how this small business has taken advantages of the opportunities of online commerce.
Skelton Industrial Estate is now full of great small businesses like these. The most recent jobs data from Office for National Statistics shows the North East now has a lower unemployment rate than both London and the West Midlands, at 4.3% and falling.
Our economy continues to grow stronger and stronger. It's important to challenge some of the myths that are always trotted out. There are 3.3 million more people in work than when the Conservatives came to office in 2010. Almost 75% of this rise in employment is due to permanent, full-time jobs and there are 104,000 fewer people on zero hours contracts.
I look forward to meeting more fantastic business across Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland over the coming months: it is always really useful to hear from those who are playing a part in growing our local economy.