Call to upgrade A1 in North Yorkshire
North East business leaders have called on the Chancellor to invest in improving the A1 in North Yorkshire. The North East Chamber of Commerce says it would boost the region's economy for the future.
George Osborne will deliver his annual Autumn Statement at 12.30 pm. The speech is regarded as a 'mini-budget'.
Announcements are expected on increases to welfare benefits, fuel duty and pensions.
But businesses are looking for early Christmas presents that will help them create jobs.
Ross Smith, from NECC, said: "We'd like to see some better connections into our ports in particular and we think that there's a road scheme on the A1 in North Yorkshire which would better connect us into markets elsewhere in the UK.
"But perhaps one of the biggest things is getting more flights into and out of this region, particularly to the United States and some changes around tax and regulation on aviation could really assist with that."


