One year on, and no sign of new body to fire up economy
THE NEW organisation dedicated to firing up the Northern Powerhouse’s economy, which was promised by the Prime Minister in a major speech in Yorkshire nearly a year ago, has still yet to be created.
At last September’s Convention of the North in Rotherham, Boris Johnson said the Government would help set up the new organisation with the help of local leaders “to make sure our great Northern Powerhouse is firing on all cylinders”.
He told the audience: “It will be a genuine partnership across the region, led by a northerner chosen in close consultation with you. I imagine there will be a process to work out who’s going to do it but it will be done in close consultation with you.”
However, the promised organisation still does not exist, despite reports in May that former Treasury Minister Jim O’Neill was being lined up to lead it.
The Yorkshire Post understands that northern leaders have yet to hear details about what powers and resources the new body will have.
Ministers are being urged to make sure a new body is “created by the North, for the North and with the North” rather than being imposed on the region.
The Government said it had been prioritising its response to the pandemic but the growth body was an important part of the North’s economic recovery.
A spokesman said: “It is important we get this right so we are taking the time to make sure its remit will deliver for the North.”
More details are expected in the Government’s White Paper on devolution, due in September.
Newcastle City Council’s Labour leader, Nick Forbes, said: “We need the North to fire on all cylinders, to come together as a world-leading region and drive forward as a connected, united voice.
“This is simply not possible when there is nothing in the tank and no driver behind the wheel.
“The Northern Powerhouse has been downgraded, it has lost ministerial focus and our region is still expected to compete for scarce Treasury investment at a time when the country needs our potential more than ever.
“The PM needs to up his game, give us the resources and powers we need and make sure any new body is created by the North, for the North and with the North.”
Several pan-northern bodies already exist, with the Government last week announcing a Northern Transport Acceleration Council to deliver major projects.
Transport for the North, the transport body given statutory status in 2018, advises Ministers but has limited powers and is reliant on Department for Transport funding.
The NP11 brings together 11 Local Enterprise Partnerships in the North and gets several hundred thousand pounds a year in Government funding.