Convention puts North in spotlight ahead of election
BUSINESS and political leaders from across the North are meeting to create a manifesto for boosting the economy and reaching net zero ambitions.
Hundreds of delegates from companies, political and educational organisations are attending the Convention of the North in Leeds, where they will debate proposals for creating a more strategic approach to transport, energy, trade and investment, and developing vibrant communities across the north.
The two-day event’s outcomes will be presented to political parties ahead of the General Election.
The manifesto is part of an effort to speak with one “unified voice for the North”, as leaders urge the next Government to work with them on plans to grow the regional economy by more than £100bn and deliver a million new jobs by 2050. Proposals on the agenda include:
■ Reform of the Bus Services Act 2017 to allow local areas to re-regulate bus services;
■ Creation of a single Northern energy strategy to incorporate the strengths of the natural environment;
■ Formation of a new trading bloc between Northern cities;
■ A ‘Northern Creative Corridor’ to mitigate competition for arts funding.
There are also ideas for changing the way rail infrastructure is funded with more impetus on the benefits of investing outside of London and the South East.
But as leaders are expected to declare the North the “first devolved region of England”, they warn it will need an extra £1,500 of public investment per person, per year, just to close the gap with the rest of England.
Research from NP11, a co-host of the conference, and Transport for the North suggests fair funding of the region would allow its economy to grow by £118bn by 2050.
Rhiannon Bearne, executive director at the North East Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s great to see the high level of collaboration that already occurs across the North coming to life in today’s Convention.
“Many of the proposals on the table speak to North East business concerns – around transport, connectivity, infrastructure and the opportunity to turbo-charge our strong culture and creative industries and assets.
“With the North East leading the way in stronger, deeper devolution this year, the announcement of a Northern Mayors and Leaders’ Summit this summer is timely and welcome.
“As the go-to voice for business in the North East, we will continue our close work with the region’s leaders, working across the wider North for a stronger, fairer North East.”
Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne mayor, said: “We need the next Government, red or blue, to empower the North. We don’t need to be micromanaged by Westminster departments. We know the potential we have in our communities, our landscape and our character.
“Just give us the tools we need and let us crack on with the job.”
Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “With the North set to become England’s first truly devolved region, we have a historic opportunity to turn the tide and build a stronger, better-connected, greener and more vibrant North for the over 13 million people we represent as mayors.
“But to do that, we need the fair investment our people deserve.
“That’s what I’ll be urging Michael w and Angela Rayner for when I see them tomorrow, and that’s what our Manifesto for the North will deliver – practical yet radical plans to yank the UK’s economy out of neutral and deliver on our shared vision for a brighter north.”