Yorkshire business leaders launch report to urge Government to unlock ‘the North’s true economic potential’

A report compiled by Yorkshire business leaders calling on the Government to make a funding commitment and devolve Northern transport powers, has been formally launched in Leeds.

The report was welcomed by Transport for the North’s David Brown, and Leeds Council Leader, Judith Blake, at a launch event in Addleshaw Goddard’s offices.

The law firm was one of the Leeds-based professional services companies which jointly launched the report, alongside Grant Thornton and Atkins.

David Brown, chief executive of transport for the North, said: “We need to be a statutory body. If we’re just a loose partnership then we cannot properly enforce what needs to be done to improve transport across the North. That’s why we need the Government to secure our statutory body as soon as possible.

“We have long-term plans, including a new smart ticketing system across the North and options for Northern Powerhouse Rail, linking the North from Leeds to Sheffield and from Hull to Liverpool.

“It matters that the private sector is behind this and we need to work together to make the case for investment increases over the next number of years, in road and rail across the North. The Government needs to invest in the economy of the North to grow the economy of the UK.”

Councillor Judith Blake, Leader, Leeds City Council, commented: “The Government have not funded infrastructure in the North to what it needs to be. That’s why the collective lobbying power of groups across the North, like this, is important.

“Leeds and Manchester are same distance apart as the length of the Central Line but currently people wouldn’t dream of living in one place and working in the other. Collaboration and investment in transport can be transformational.”

The ‘Unlocking Growth in the North’ report was initially used to lobby Government ahead of last week’s Autumn Statement. The Chancellor then reiterated his commitment to devolution and pledged a £1.8bn local growth fund for the regions, £1.1bn extra investment for English local transport networks and an additional £23bn National Productivity Investment Fund investing in roads, rail and future transport, including smart ticketing.

This was in response to the report’s calls for further devolution and a funding boost for to enhance the North’s rail and the road networks.

In addition, the Chancellor addressed the report’s call for long-term pathways for private investment in transport infrastructure and commitment to working with Transport for the North to develop detailed options for Northern Powerhouse Rail.

The report has been publicly backed by several leading businesses across the North including Yorkshire-based firms Amey (Leeds, Sheffield and across Yorkshire), Hitachi Rail Europe (Leeds, York, Doncaster), Drax Power (Selby) and Siemens UK (York).

Paul Hirst, partner at Addleshaw Goddard, said: “We are delighted to have launched this important report, which details how - with the right powers and the right investment to improve transport infrastructure - we can realise the North’s true economic potential.

“The Chancellor’s announcements tell us that the North and underperformance of the regions is a key area of focus for the Government and that is most welcome. This is a great start and we are committed to working with the Government to ensure we unlock growth in the North.”

Dan Mansfield, principal consultant at Grant Thornton, added: “The potential for growth in the North of England is huge. Only a better-connected North can unlock this potential. Our joint-report, launched tonight, details how this growth can be delivered through stronger devolution and a stronger infrastructure investment.

“Therefore, it was pleasing to hear the Chancellor directly reference Northern Powerhouse Rail in last week’s Autumn Statement and encouraging that the Transport Secretary will be working closely on detailed plans with Transport for the North. We look forward to seeing what comes out of these discussions.”

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