Can a unified regional partnership unlock £118 billion for the North?
In short: A new alliance of Northern Mayors is moving beyond Westminster-led initiatives. By uniting 15 million people under 'The Great North' partnership, local leaders aim to transform the region into a powerhouse for clean energy, defence, and advanced manufacturing.
The Great North is a newly unveiled partnership designed to harness the economic potential of Northern England. Chaired by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and backed by the UK government, the initiative seeks to shift the regional narrative from one of being 'left behind' to one of proactive leadership. The partnership aims to move away from the 'Whitehall knows a best' mentality, allowing elected Mayors to develop strategies on their own terms.
The economic ambitions are substantial. A new report from the group suggests that with targeted investments, the North could add £118 billion to UK PLC. To achieve this, the partnership focuses on several strategic corridors. These include an 'energy coast' along the east coast—leveraging the fact that 50% of England’s renewable energy is already generated in the North—and a 'northern security corridor' spanning from Cumbria through Lancashire to the North East, integrating vital cyber and engineering assets.
Beyond heavy industry, the initiative emphasizes connectivity and culture. The 'One Creative North' partnership is a key component, designed to provide the finance and skills necessary to attract global tourism and investment to the region's creative sectors. Other structural priorities include the 'Northern Arc' and 'White Rose Plan,' which rely on infrastructure improvements like the Transpennine Route Upgrade and the Liverpool-Manchester Railway to link the North West across the Pennines.
The partnership represents a significant step in the region's devolution journey. By bringing together Mayors from areas such as Liverpool, Greater Manchester, Yorkshire, and Tees Valley, the group intends to use a single, unified voice to attract international trade and investment, effectively reshaping the North's future through local collaboration.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Great North unleashes new era of prosperity spearheaded by Northern Mayors
- Also: The Great North
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