Think tank calls for Yorkshire Forward merger
A “SUPER” development agency to lead the economy of the North of England should be created through the merger of Yorkshire Forward and its counterparts in the North West and the North East, a think tank has suggested.
The Centre for Cities said the move would create an economic powerhouse reducing the North-South divide, and would boost the revival of cities in Yorkshire and beyond.
The independent organisation said the regional development agencies (RDAs) were not delivering on their two-part government target of reducinge the gap in economic growth rates between the English regions, and promoting growth in all regions.
The Centre for Cities said that during the first seven years of the RDAs existence, between 1999 to 2006, the economy in the South East grew by nearly 18%, whereas the rest of England’s economy grew by just 15%. The Centre for Cities predicts the growth gap will continue over the next decade.
Across the Greater South East, the economy generated £22,657 per head, in 2006 – more than £6,000 more than the rest of England, according to the body.
The main purpose of RDAs should be to help boost growth in lagging areas, said the Centre for Cities, which also suggested a number of options for the next Government to consider.
These include the introduction of a Northern Development Agency, from 2011, to replace the current three Northern RDAs. Cities like Liverpool and Sunderland would benefit from being part of a unified “northern” brand, rather than three separate RDAs, said the think tank.
The Centre for Cities also suggests that a Northern Development Agency would be more strategic. It believes it would build better links between the two biggest northern city-regions – Greater Manchester and Leeds City Region – and create more space for them to take on more powers and deliver housing, transport and jobs.
The Centre for Cities argues that such a move would replace the Government’s “confusing regional economic performance target” with a clearer focus on boosting growth rates and promoting job creation in the Midlands and the North – rather than trying to close the gap with the South East.
Dermot Finch, director of the Centre for Cities, said: “There is great uncertainty about the future of RDAs. The Government says they are all crucial, but the Tories say they are terrible. The truth is somewhere in between: RDAs are needed more up North, less in the Greater South East.
“We will not need an RDA in every English region, for the next ten years. RDAs should be streamlined, and focused on boosting growth in lagging areas.
“After the next general election, a single development agency for the North of England would be a good way forward.”
Although Yorkshire Forward has been viewed as one of the more successful of the nine RDAs, the agencies have been criticised since their formation for spending large amounts of public money for what some have viewed as little benefit ot the region.
What is the best way forward for Yorkshire Forward and the RDAs? Do you agree that there should be one agency for the North of England? Leave your comment below or join the debate on our Forum.
