May chooses new Northern Powerhouse minister

NEW Prime Minister Theresa May has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the Northern Powerhouse with the appointment of a new minister to lead on the project.

Andrew Percy, MP for Brigg and Goole, has replaced north east MP James Wharton, who has become a junior minister in the Department for International Development.

The Northern Powerhouse was launched by former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne in June 2014 and the Tatton MP was seen as the driving force behind the project. Mr Wharton was appointed following last year’s general election.

However May’s campaign launch speech had set out her stall in wanting to have “a plan to help not one or even two of our great regional cities but every single one of them” – a line that was interpreted as a slight to Osborne and a criticism of the dominance of the Northern Powerhouse in the devolution agenda.

But the Department for Communities and Local Government has this afternoon confirmed that Percy will be the minister responsible under new Secretary of State Sajid Javid.

Percy said: “As constituents will be aware, I’ve never chased a ministerial job, I didn’t in the last Parliament and I didn’t in this one! However, we do live in somewhat bizarre times.

“Anyway, I’ve decided to accept this position and, as a proud Northerner, it is one of the few roles in Government I would actually quite relish. I hope having served 10 years as a local councillor before becoming an MP, I also have something to contribute on the local government front. I’ve always championed our area as a backbencher and now I get to champion the North within government.”

Percy has served as chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.

Former Goldman Sachs banker Lord O’Neill of Gatley will remain commercial secretary to the Treasury, the secretary responsible for delivery of the Northern Powerhouse and city devolution initiatives.