Mayors and business leaders call for a ‘New Deal’ for the North
Politicians are being urged to commit to deliver a “New Deal” for the North, as business-led thinktank and advocacy group the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP) sets out a masterplan intended to turbocharge productivity.
As business and civic leaders met in Bradford for the annual Great Northern Conference, NPP said it wants political leaders to put the North of England at the heart of their 2024 General Election Manifestos by signing up to five key pledges:
- Power the net zero transition Unlock private investment for a fleet of small modular reactors (SMRs), carbon capture and storage (CCUS), and wider renewables as well as Northern-made heat pumps and home insulation.
- Drive innovation Increase the North’s share of public investment in research & development funding (R&D) to bring it in line with the Golden Triangle in the next decade – without reducing spending in the South East.
- Transform transport connectivity Build Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2, while improving intra-city transport links, to give private investment the certainty it needs to deliver homes and jobs.
- Close the disadvantage gap Work with schools, charities and agencies to end the education disadvantage gap in the next decade through targeted interventions in persistently disadvantaged neighbourhoods.
- Unlock apprenticeships and training opportunities Transform the skills system and encourage businesses to invest in training by devolving more responsibility to metro mayors and allowing more flexibility in the apprenticeship levy.
Lord Jim O’Neill, chair of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: “The Northern Powerhouse as an economic project needs to last far beyond any one election cycle and we need genuine cross-party support to make that happen.
“We need a new deal that goes beyond the usual tinkering and completely rewires the system, doubling down on devolution and rethinking our fiscal rules to restore some ambition to our approach to investment.
“Investors around the world have now woken up to the massive economic opportunity the North of England represents but the private sector needs long-term certainty from government that it is ready to deliver on transport, education, skills, innovation and net zero.”
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “The North’s potential is vast and the growth of Greater Manchester over recent years is testament to that.
“With powers and resources, Mayors and leaders across the North have been able to make better decisions that help grow our economies and benefit our people and UK plc.
“Our city-regions are at the forefront of driving innovation, creating integrated transport networks that are more affordable and better for local people, and building technical education city-regions that meet the needs of our people and economy. But now is the time to go further.
“We need to make sure that the next general election is a moment where all parties acknowledge the need to get more powers and resources out of Westminster and into the hands of Mayors and Leaders, who can tackle the challenges that have held the North back for too long.”
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “Investing in the north can drive the UK’s economic growth and create opportunities for millions of people across our regions.
“To maximise the benefits, Mayors need greater control over transport, skills and housing though a single devolved budget — rather than relying on piecemeal, competitive funding pots.
“We’re making a success of devolution, but we could do so much more with extra powers and fairer funding — helping us to boost our economy, increase opportunity and create a West Yorkshire that works for all.”
Councillor Phillippa Williamson, leader of Lancashire County Council, added: “It’s fantastic to see the North of England attracting more inward investment in recent years as it becomes a major player on the world stage.
“It’s great to see the Northern business community deliver its own ambitious vision for levelling up, with specific asks around transport, education, skills, net zero and innovation.
“Stronger local leadership will be key to achieving a more productive, prosperous Northern Powerhouse and Lancashire needs its own devolution deal to unlock our full potential and help us grow our economy by almost a £1bn a year.”
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