LABOUR Metro Mayor Jamie Driscoll is set to announce a “bold plan” for full employment in north-east England today.

In a speech in Sunderland, the left-wing leader of the North of Tyne Combined Authority will pledge to create thousands of green jobs and build a “total transport network” across the austerity-hit region.

The commitment coincides with the launch of the ex-Newcastle councillor’s bid to win the Labour nomination to lead the new North East Mayoral Combined Authority, which is due to be operational from May next year.

In a landmark devolution deal with Westminster confirmed last December, the combined authority will see a directly elected North East Mayor represent Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham.

Mr Driscoll, who claims to have secured more than 5,000 jobs since his election in 2019, is due to say: “I’ll always fight for our fair share — as anyone from the north-east will tell you — ‘shy bairns get nowt’.

“If elected, I will end unemployment by creating thousands of green jobs and building a total transport network for the north-east.

“I will deliver a fully integrated public transport system with lower fares for everybody and free travel for under 18s.

“If this all sounds ambitious, that’s because it is. But it’s no daydream — our policies are already having a huge impact on people’s lives.”

The region was top for jobs created by “inward investment last year and unemployment is falling faster than in any other region in the country,” he will note.

“It’s tough for people in the north-east right now. It’s been tough for decades. But I’m determined to write a positive new story for our beautiful part of the world.”