PM appoints first Powerhouse minister

DAVID CAMERON has avoided a war of the roses  by appointing a North East MP to be the minister responsible for the Northern Powerhouse.

Stockton South MP James Wharton is to take on the new role of Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Northern Powerhouse), as part of Greg Clark’s department.

The Northern Powerhouse is the umbrella label that brings together the economic and political initiatives designed to create a stronger Northern economy which can act as a counterweight to London and South East.

It was originally launched by Chancellor and Cheshire MP George Osborne, in a speech in June 2014. Much of the early progress has been around transport and the One North programme, although Manchester’s progress with devolution, along with other investments and awards, has created fresh impetus.

Despite Manchester’s success, the last government was clear it wants all, not just some part of the north to thrive. On a visit to Leeds with his Chancellor before the election, Mr Cameron dismissed those concerns and said: “The whole point of the Northern Powerhouse agenda is that it is not just ‘west of the Pennines’ or ‘east of the Pennines’, it is both.”

Iain Craven, executive director in EY’s government team said: “Appointing a northern MP as Minister responsible for the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ indicates that the new Government is committed to delivering on its vision for a rebalanced economy where the North punches its weight.

“The post being awarded to a North East MP could also allay fears that the Northern Powerhouse is overly focused on the North West and Yorkshire.

“The role could potentially involve maintaining the profile of the North, upholding strong relationships with treasury to influence funding decisions for Northern projects, and helping to bring together and plan the various projects under the Northern Powerhouse brand – but time will tell.”