Treasury minister attacks Northern Powerhouse critics
TREASURY minister Lord O’Neill will this morning say that critics of the Northern Powerhouse fail to realise its scope and potential.
It is just over 18 months since the Chancellor first talked about building a Northern Powerhouse but a preview of O’Neill’s speech, to be given at the UK Northern Powerhouse International Conference in Manchester this morning, shows he will say that its success should be measured over the coming years.
“We know that we can revitalise the economy of the north. But we have to get this right, and we have to be in it for the long-haul,” he is expected to say, adding “those who criticise it from the sidelines every time an individual project suffers a setback fail to realise its size, its scope and its enormous potential.”
He will continue: “This is a big, systematic, long-term endeavour to address a problem which has existed for at least half a century. That is why it is crucial that its success should be measured in years, not months.
“Of course, there will be some setbacks – industries which were successful in the Industrial Revolution won’t automatically be successful in the 21st century. Adaptability is needed – as is diversification.”
Close to 2,000 people are expected to attend the opening day of the conference at Manchester Central today.
Other people speaking a today’s event include Lord Prescott, Sir David Higgins, executive chairman of HS2, as well as the chief executives of several northern councils.
For more information on the UK Northern Powerhouse International Conference and Exhibition (25-26 February 2016) visit www.uk-northern-powerhouse.co.uk . Follow on Twitter @UKNorthernPower.
