National Treatment Agency (NTA)
The North East is one of the smallest of the English regions in both area (8,573km2) and population (2.5 million). Made up of 4 main areas (covered by 12 DA(A)TS), the North East is a region of rich historical, geographical and cultural variety stretching from the Tees Valley in the south, north through County Durham, Tyne and Wear up to Northumberland and the Scottish Border.
It is a region of great contrasts. The rugged hills, moorlands and forests of the North Pennines form its western part. Its eastern side is a 186 kilometre North Sea coastline, from the beautiful beaches of Northumberland to the long-established industrial conurbations grouped around the main river estuaries of the Tees, Wear and Tyne. Between lies rich agricultural lowland, the eastern parts of which have been marked by the rise - and subsequent fall – in the coalmining industry.
The region has seen enormous change over the last 30 years. Between 1981 and 1997, for example, the North East lost over 110,000 jobs in primary and manufacturing industries. Though manufacturing remains an important element in the economy, the regional economic base has diversified into new areas such as microelectronics, the offshore industry, biotechnology and automotives. There has also been a significant growth in the service sectors, public administration, education and health. Tourism also accounts for approximately 10 per cent of all jobs.
Despite these developments, the region is still dealing with the economic, social and structural consequences of its past dependence on industries, which is reflected in its poor performance across a range of health and socio-economic indicators; employment rates, educational achievement and life expectancy are all lower in the North East than the national average.
