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Bleak future if recommendations aren’t followed, warns research group

The North of England is being disproportionately hit by spending cuts and job losses, and there is a risk that the private sector may not be able to compensate for this quickly or fully.

That is according to a gloomy report which analysed the findings of 150 stakeholders across the region and also sets out the case for greater government support for the North, including new grants for business investment in declining industrial areas.

The research was published today by the Smith Institute in association with PwC and Newcastle University’s Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies.The report recommends creating a new voice for the North in the form of a strategic ‘Council for the North’, involving councils, business, universities and other stakeholders.

The Council could develop a strategic plan for the North, like the London Plan, and prioritise housing and transport investments.

For instance, the report argues, it could argue the case for a northern perspective on the High Speed 2 rail project where the report raises the question of whether links across and within the North would offer better value, as part of an integrated transport plan for the North including an east-west ‘Crossrail for the North’.

The report also sets out the case for locating the new Big Society Bank in the North.

Paul Woolston, senior partner at PwC’s Newcastle office said: “We are delighted to support this innovative work as a major employer in the North. From this research, it is clear the business community is worried that things will get worse as public spending cuts begin to bite.“This report is about fairness, not favouritism.

“It is critical that we have a path for the future and it is clear that stronger partnerships between the public, private and voluntary sectors are therefore needed if we are to tackle long-standing regional disparities both within the North, and compared with other regions.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .