The separate reports from NatWest and KPMG have the North East among the best performing UK regions

Two well-regarded surveys have pointed to a more positive picture in the North East economy.

The latest NatWest Growth Tracker data showed a renewed expansion in output amongst firms in the North East, with the rate of growth among the fastest in the UK.

The tracker – which measures change in the region’s manufacturing and service sectors – rose from 49.5 in December to 54.4 in January, pointing to an increase in business activity for the first time in three months. Nine of the 12 monitored UK regions and nations recorded a rise in output, with the second-fastest expansion seen jointly in the North East and West Midlands, behind London.

Private sector firms in the North East also registered a steeper increase in new business intakes, while business confidence reached its highest level in more than four years. Employment levels were unchanged, NatWest said, but some companies in the region are looking to increase headcount to keep pace with rising demand.

Malcolm Buchanan, chair of the NatWest North Regional Board, said: “North East-based companies were buoyed by stronger optimism and higher new order inflows to raise activity levels for the first time in three months at the start of 2026. Output rose at the fastest pace since last August, and was behind only London in terms of growth leaders across the 12 monitored UK regions and nations.

“The near and medium-term pipeline is also positive for the North East region, with growth in new business intakes reaching a three-month high, while outstanding business continued to accumulate – signalling pressure on capacity amid growing demand. Looking further ahead, companies were confident that positive trends would continue over the coming 12 months. The overall degree of confidence surged from the end of last year to reach the highest since May 2021.

“Moreover, local firms were among the most optimistic of the monitored UK areas, with only London-based companies recording a stronger degree of optimism.”

Meanwhile, a report for Big Four accountancy group KPMG has suggested that 92% private business owners in the North East are confident about growth in 2026, the highest level of confidence of any Northern region. KPMG’s annual Private Enterprise Barometer puts business confidence in the North East five percentage points above the national average.

Rising demand for products was identified as the main reason for the increasing positiveity, while some businesses also highlighted plans to expand into new markets and launch new products.

Michael Downes, senior partner for KPMG at its Newcastle office, said: “Leading the Northern regions in confidence reflects not only resilience, but a determination from the businesses in the North East to invest in the future.

“It’s particularly encouraging to see businesses across the region increasingly looking beyond domestic markets, with appetite for international expansion well above the national average. That confidence is being reinforced by continued investment in technology and AI at home, supported by major developments such as the North East’s AI Growth Zone, which is helping to drive innovation, skills development and job creation across the region.

“With technology, diversification and a growing openness to alternative funding all shaping growth strategies, the North East’s private businesses are showing the ambition and forward-thinking needed to compete on the international stage.”

Children are routinely exposed to adverts for weight-loss injections, diet products and cosmetic procedures online, according to a new report by Dame Rachel de Souza, who has called for tougher regulation of social media platforms.

The report, based on a survey of 2,000 children aged 13 to 17 alongside focus groups, found that young people were being “bombarded” with content promoting body transformation, despite restrictions on certain types of advertising.

Respondents reported seeing ads for weight-loss drugs and diet products, as well as skin-lightening treatments, some of which are illegal to sell in the UK. Others described beauty and cosmetic content, including promotions for lip fillers and aesthetic procedures, as “unavoidable” across major social media platforms.

Dame Rachel said the content was “immensely damaging” to young people’s self-esteem and urged ministers to consider a ban on targeted social media advertising to children.

“We cannot continue to accept an online world that profits from children’s insecurities and constantly tells them they need to change,” she said. “Urgent action is needed to create an online environment that is truly safer by design.”

The findings come amid the rollout of the Online Safety Act, which aims to make the internet safer for users, particularly children, by placing duties on platforms to remove harmful material quickly.

Dame Rachel’s report suggests amending the Act to introduce a clearer “duty of care” obliging platforms to prevent children from being shown body-image related advertising in the first place. She also recommended changes to Ofcom’s Children’s Code of Practice to explicitly protect young users from “body stigma” content.

Ofcom said such material is already covered under its existing code. “Body stigma content can be incredibly harmful to children, which is why our rules require sites and apps to protect children from encountering it and to act swiftly when they become aware of it,” a spokesperson said. The regulator added it would not tolerate technology firms “prioritising engagement over children’s online safety”.

The commissioner also called for stronger enforcement of rules governing the online sale of age-restricted products and suggested the government consider limiting children’s access to certain social media platforms altogether.

Dr Peter Macaulay, senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Derby, said restricting advertising to children was a necessary step but not sufficient on its own. “We also need stronger platform accountability, improved enforcement of age-appropriate design standards and better education to help children critically navigate online pressures,” he said.

A government spokesperson said ministers had always been clear that the Online Safety Act was “not the end of the conversation” and confirmed that a national consultation had been launched on further measures, including the possibility of banning social media use for under-16s.

The debate highlights growing concern among policymakers about the commercial drivers behind youth-facing content, as platforms face mounting pressure to demonstrate that their business models do not undermine children’s mental health.

Amy Ingham

Amy is a newly qualified journalist specialising in business journalism at Business Matters with responsibility for news content for what is now the UK’s largest print and online source of current business news.

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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Australia opened their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a ruthless 67‑run victory over Ireland, combining a muscular batting display with a suffocating bowling performance to underline their title credentials in Group B.

Sent in to bat after stand‑in captain Travis Head won the toss at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Australia posted an imposing 182 for 6 before skittling Ireland for just 115 in 16.5 overs. The result not only delivered two points but also handed Australia a hefty early boost to their net run rate in a group where every decimal could prove crucial.

Stoinis and Inglis power Australia to 182

Australia’s innings began in chaotic fashion when Head, leading the side in the absence of the injured Mitchell Marsh, was run out for 6 after a mix‑up with opening partner Josh Inglis. Inglis had already survived a chance — dropped at point — and capitalised on his reprieve with an aggressive, counter‑punching cameo.

Inglis and Cameron Green quickly wrested back momentum from Ireland. The pair kept the powerplay run rate above 10 an over, mixing clean hitting down the ground with sharp running between the wickets. Green raced to 21 off 11 balls before miscuing to mid‑wicket, but by then Australia had 64 on the board at the end of six overs, with the Irish seamers struggling for control on a placid surface.

Inglis continued to attack, racing to 37 off just 17 balls with a flurry of boundaries through point and over extra cover. His dismissal, holing out after earlier striking George Dockrell for four, briefly checked Australia’s charge, and a quiet middle phase followed as new batsmen adjusted to a pitch that began to slow and grip.

Matt Renshaw and Marcus Stoinis then rebuilt the innings in a decisive fifth‑wicket stand worth 61. Renshaw played the anchor role with 37 from 33 balls, rotating the strike and allowing Stoinis to dictate terms. Stoinis, who top‑scored with 45 from 29 deliveries, picked his moments to accelerate, driving powerfully down the ground and muscling a six over mid‑wicket while still collecting the majority of his runs in hard‑run ones and twos.

Glenn Maxwell’s brief stay offered flashes of intent without a big payoff, but Australia’s refusal to panic after losing early wickets meant they always had a platform to launch from. Late nudges and hustled doubles in the final overs ensured Australia reached 182, a total that looked slightly above par once the ball began to hold in the surface.

For Ireland, Mark Adair and Barry McCarthy fought hard in the death overs to prevent a 190‑plus score, but the damage from the powerplay and the Stoinis‑Renshaw partnership left them facing a daunting chase.

Ellis and Zampa rip through Ireland

Ireland’s reply unravelled almost immediately. Captain Paul Stirling, their most experienced and explosive batter, retired hurt for 1 in the opening over after what appeared to be a hamstring issue, dealing a psychological blow to a side already up against it.

Australian seamer Nathan Ellis took full advantage of the unsettled top order. Renowned for his clever changes of pace and skiddy trajectory, Ellis struck twice inside the first few overs, removing both set batters and exposing Ireland’s middle order before they could settle. By the end of the powerplay, Ireland had slumped to 40 for 4, their chase effectively in ruins.

Curtis Campher (4), Benjamin Calitz (2) and Gareth Delany (11) all fell cheaply during a brutal collapse that left Ireland tottering at 43 for 5 by the seventh over. Any hopes of a miracle hinged on wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker and all‑rounder George Dockrell, who mounted the only meaningful resistance of the innings.

The pair added 46 for the sixth wicket, with Dockrell in particular showing composure and intent. He compiled a spirited 41 off 29 balls, finding gaps and punishing anything short or wide. Tucker supported with 24 as the duo briefly quieted the Australian fielders and forced Travis Head to juggle his bowling options.

But Adam Zampa, who had been held back specifically for the middle overs, quickly reasserted Australia’s control. The leg‑spinner broke the stand by removing Tucker, drawing him into a miscued stroke. Once that partnership ended, Ireland’s lower order crumbled.

Zampa and Ellis then turned the screw in tandem. Zampa’s drifting leg‑breaks and sharp googlies dismantled the middle order, while Ellis continued to choke off scoring opportunities with a mix of cutters and yorkers. Both bowlers finished with identical figures of four wickets apiece, underlining their dominance and leaving Ireland shot out for 115 with more than three overs unused.

Dockrell was the last semblance of resistance before the tail fell away, underscoring how little support Ireland’s top order offered in the face of Australia’s relentless attack.

Bowling discipline sets the tone

Australia’s performance with the ball was as clinical as their batting was controlled. Ellis’ 4 for 12 stood out not just for the wickets but for the pressure he applied; his economy and accuracy forced Ireland’s batters into high‑risk shots far earlier than they would have liked.

Zampa’s 4 for 23 demonstrated once again why he is central to Australia’s white‑ball plans. On a surface that rewarded patience and changes of pace, he consistently attacked the stumps, forcing errors from batters unsure whether to commit forward or back.

Xavier Bartlett and Matthew Kuhnemann provided useful support, tightening the screws from the other end and ensuring Ireland never found a passage of play in which they could counter‑attack freely. In the field, Australia were sharp, with direct hits and diving stops adding to Ireland’s sense of suffocation.

Perfect start to Group B campaign

The 67‑run margin sends Australia to the top of Group B on net run rate and serves as a statement of intent to the rest of the tournament. Coming into the World Cup with key players missing and questions about depth, they answered emphatically on both fronts: the batting card produced multiple contributions, and the attack functioned as a well‑drilled unit.

For Ireland, the defeat leaves them winless after two matches and with serious concerns over both form and fitness. Stirling’s hamstring issue looms as a major worry, and the fragility of the top order under pressure was laid bare. Their bowlers showed patches of discipline, particularly in the latter half of Australia’s innings, but the early overs with both bat and ball ultimately proved decisive.

As the tournament moves forward, Australia will look to build on the momentum of this comprehensive opening victory, while Ireland face a quick turnaround to resurrect their campaign and repair both confidence and combinations.

Australia may have needed four days to get on the park, but once they did, they wasted no time reminding everyone why they remain perennial contenders in global T20 cricket.