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Updated: Stockton MP given reins for Northern Powerhouse plans

Prime Minister David Cameron has announced that James Wharton is the new Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Wharton, MP for Stockton, will oversee the government’s Northern Powerhouse plans, outlined by Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne in his final budget before the election.

The chancellor told MPs employment and jobs grew faster in the north than the south during the last year, going on to announce that Greater Manchester would be allowed to keep 100% of growth in local business rates.

Mr Osborne said to the BBC in March: “Over the last year, the north grew faster than the south. We are seeing a truly national recovery. And where is employment growing fastest? The North West.

“Where is a job being created every 10 minutes? The Midlands. And which county has created more jobs than the whole of France? The great county of Yorkshire.

“For our ambition for a truly national recovery is not limited to building a northern powerhouse. We back in full the long-term economic plans we have for every region.”

Iain Craven, Executive Director in EY’s Government team in the North of England, said: “Appointing a Northern MP as Minister responsible for the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ indicates that the new Government is committed to delivering on its vision for a rebalanced economy where the North punches its weight.

“The post being awarded to a North East MP could also allay fears that the Northern Powerhouse is overly focused on the North West and Yorkshire.

“The role could potentially involve maintaining the profile of the North, upholding strong relationships with treasury to influence funding decisions for Northern projects, and helping to bring together and plan the various projects under the Northern Powerhouse brand – but time will tell.”

For further information on the Northern Powerhouse initiative and the ideas behind it a government PDF is available here.