Unlocking the lockdown – the Northern Powerhouse and coronavirus

Four experts joined TheBusinessDesk.com’s recent webinar in partnership with Squire Patton Boggs, Reviving the Northern Powerhouse economy: Unlocking the lockdown.

With the economies of the North experiencing a renaissance pre-pandemic the panel looked at some of the key questions facing local government and businesses.

Our speakers provided different insights into what lies ahead:

• James Wharton, former Northern Powerhouse minister and a senior advisor in Squire Patton Boggs’ European Public Policy Practice
• Eve Roodhouse, chief officer, economic development at Leeds City Council
• Tom Bridges, director, cities advisory, Arup
• John Alderton, Leeds office managing partner, Squire Patton Boggs

They shared their views of what the pandemic means for the Northern Powerhouse and how the regional and city economies of the North can be rebuilt in the wake of Covid-19.

The full, 60-minute webinar can be viewed online.

Click below to watch some short clips from the webinar, highlighting the key topics that were discussed.

Unlocking the lockdown: The Northern Powerhouse, levelling up and coronavirus

Government has repositioned the Northern Powerhouse as part of its levelling-up agenda, says former minister James Wharton. Leeds City Council’s Eve Roodhouse and Arup’s Tom Bridges add their thoughts on what it means in a post-Covid economy.

The economic consequences of the coronavirus on the Northern powerhouse

James Wharton, former Northern Powerhouse minister, examines the likely fiscal policy from Government in the post-Covid economy and how this may affect Northern regions.

Unlocking the lockdown: The future for Northern city centres

Coronavirus restrictions have emptied our city centres but the impact is likely to be far longer lasting. Leeds City Council’s Eve Roodhouse and Arup’s Tom Bridges look at the role of cities in the future.

Unlocking the lockdown: Should the Government still invest in HS2?

James Wharton, Eve Roodhouse and Tom Bridges on whether the economic impact of coronavirus could derail the UK’s HS2 ambitions.

Unlocking the lockdown: Planning for coming out of lockdown

How businesses meet and exceed customer expectations will be crucial, says John Alderton, Leeds office managing partner for Squire Patton Boggs.