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Government moves to accelerate Northern Powerhouse with new four step plan

Politicians in parliament have this week been introduced to a four-step offensive designed to accelerate the realisation of the Northern Powerhouse.

Members were privy to ‘Building the Northern Powerhouse: Next Steps for Transformation’, a business-led report which sets out recommendations to be implemented over the long term to deliver growth.

However, senior-level politicians and business leaders who attended the Westminster reception also heard how the Northern Powerhouse must grow by a staggering £44bn if it is to reach the average GVA per capita of the UK.

To turn back half a decade of under investment that has seen the North lag behind the rest of the country, the delegation heard how four critical steps are required to drive forward progress:

Four steps

Step 1: Existing government commitments and promises to be urgently locked-in and progressed.

Step 2: Extend full fiscal autonomy to key northern cities.

Step 3: Work with UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) to drive productivity amongst northern business.

Step 4: A more collaborative North, utilising technology to achieve this.

Copies of the ‘Next Steps’ plan will be shared with Government Ministers and MPs including Northern Powerhouse ‘architect’ George Osborne.

Keith Griffiths, Managing Director of the UK Northern Powerhouse International Conference & Exhibition said: “We need to accelerate the delivery of the Northern Powerhouse vision. Business must be involved in this process and it cannot be just a Government-owned plan.

“So many have waited decades to have an opportunity to deliver once in a lifetime change and progress for the region, we must move forward swiftly.”

Chairman of the Rail in the North All Party Parliamentary Group and MP for Colne Valley, West Yorkshire, said Jason McCartney added: “It is great to see this private sector initiative responding to the Chancellors plan to promote wealth creation across the North. Rebalancing the UK economy in the face of challenging global market conditions will play a key part un underwriting the nations future prosperity”.

Richard Green, Director at AECOM (Report Sponsor), said: “The Northern Powerhouse must offer a clear, balanced vision that recognises the importance of its core cities and wider Trans-Pennine hinterland. This will be achieved with well-articulated development plans leading to long-term gains.

“A strong focus on protecting the unique quality of place and building the region’s skills will be vital to securing the desired outcomes for investors and for future generations in the North.”

Keep up to date with Bdaily’s latest Northern Powerhouse coverage right here.

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