Northern Powerhouse key to rebalancing UK economy, claims Conservative MP

The Government’s Northern Powerhouse scheme is critical for the whole of the UK economy, claims senior business and political figures.

Lord Bob Kerslake, chair of the Advisory Board of the UK Northern Powerhouse International Conference, was joined by Sean Anstee, Leader of Trafford Borough Council, and Stuart Andrew MP, Vice Chair of the Conservatives Party with responsibility for cities, at a fringe event at the conference in Birmingham.

Also on the panel were Ben Harrison from the Centre for Cities and Andrew Herring, a partner with international law firm Squire Patton Boggs which has a strong presence across Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

Mr Andrew, MP for Pudsey, Horsforth and Aireborough, said the Northern Powerhouse was essential for whole of the UK, adding: “There can be no rebalancing of the UK economy without the Northern Powerhouse. It has to be a national priority.”

Councillor Anstee, who is seeking to be the Conservatives’ mayoral candidate for Greater Manchester, added: “The Northern Powerhouse should not be confused with wider public sector reform and we must remember that this is a project which needs commitment and focus for the next 10 to 15 years if we are to deliver increased prosperity for northern communities.”

The fringe event took place just as the Prime Minister and Chancellor confirmed that the Government is committed to the Northern Powerhouse.

Andrew Herring, an Infrastructure partner at Squire Patton Boggs which specialises in rail and energy, told the fringe meeting that economic growth in the North needed to be aligned with global best practice.

Mr Herring also said that the public sector must be able to explore funding mechanisms for investment in infrastructure, including digital infrastructure, through a wider range of financing techniques including asset finance arrangements and pension fund investment.

The 2017 UK Northern Powerhouse International Conference & Exhibition, which is expected to attract some 3,000 delegates, takes place on February 21 and 22 at Manchester Central.