Osborne to lead Northern Powerhouse thinktank

FORMER Chancellor George Osborne and Local Government Minister Sajid Javid were visiting Manchester today to officially launch the Northern Powerhouse Partnership.

Osborne, who originally coined the now-much-used term while part of the David Cameron Government, said he is aiming to carry on the momentum gathered while he was in the Cabinet to create prosperity across the North of England.

Also in attendance were Manchester Airports Group chief executive Charlie Cornish, and Mace CEO Mark Reynolds.

Osborne will say: “When I launched the idea of Northern Powerhouse I said I would work tirelessly with anyone and everyone to make it a reality.

“But even I have been taken aback by the huge support it’s attracted, across political parties, businesses and communities.

“In the space of just two years, we’ve created powerful new mayors, committed to huge new transport and science projects, and attracted investment from around the world.

“There’s a real excitement now in the north about what we can achieve if we work together. I don’t want us to lose that.

“That’s why I’m so pleased major businesses, civic leaders and others have worked with me to create this new Northern Powerhouse Partnership. I’m also glad that the government has given its support.

“Chairing this new Partnership will now be a major focus of my political energies. The Northern Powerhouse is here to stay.”

Javid said: “This government realises the huge untapped potential of our great northern towns and cities. That is why I warmly welcome the launch of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership.

“I hope it will become an important part of the debate and help us to do all we can to further boost jobs, growth and opportunities in the north of England.”

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, who has been instrumental in engaging northern local authorities with the Northern Powerhouse initiative via civic leaders, said: “The Northern Powerhouse initiative is about supporting and empowering the North to boost its productivity, create more wealth and jobs and make a greater contribution to the national economy. It’s about investing intelligently in proven strengths and the infrastructure and assets needed to support them.

“The Northern Powerhouse Partnership will help provide the insight and evidence base to drive the initiative forwards. The uncertainty following the Brexit vote in the EU referendum makes economic stability, confidence and support for strategic commitments such as the Northern Powerhouse more important than ever.”

Cornish said: “The importance of a strong Northern economy is more widely acknowledged than ever before and there is no doubt that the Northern Powerhouse vision has already shown the world that the region is both an attractive place to visit and to do business with.

“I welcome the formation of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and we look forward to working with the other members to ensure a continued focus on increasing productivity, and improving transport links and investment across the North.

“Transport lies at the foundation of every successful economy and whilst connecting the North to the rest of the world is a crucial part of the equation, it is also imperative that the region is better connected with itself.

Reynolds said: “New transport infrastructure and connectivity are absolutely vital for boosting growth, improving productivity, opening up opportunity and increasing wellbeing in the North of England.

“Mace has worked on major infrastructure and development schemes in the North for over 20 years, and we have seen first-hand the unrivalled passion, excitement and dedication of local people to turn the Northern Powerhouse from rhetoric to reality.”