Northern prosperity is national prosperity: NEFC interim report

Article

In this interim report, the Northern Economic Futures Commission (NEFC) makes the case for a much clearer focus on the North in economic policymaking. It argues that the longstanding structural challenges facing the North of England are entrenched by systemic factors that inhibit its long-term growth potential, and contends that it is not in the long-term interests of the UK as a whole for this lack of focus to persist.

NEFC chair Geoff Muirhead says:

'Our case is neither anti-south, anti-Scotland, nor a simplistic plea for fairness. On the contrary, the rationale for a clearer northern focus is an economic and not a social one, a national and not a parochial one.'

The NEFC's interim report lays out five propositions about the northern economy:

  1. Northern prosperity is national prosperity
  2. The North of England holds huge potential for growth
  3. There are structural challenges facing the North
  4. The North must be seen as an interconnected metro-region
  5. Northern economic development needs bolder northern leadership and autonomy

And proposes five pillars for growth, which also frame the commission's next areas of investigation and the recommendations to appear in its final report:

  1. Innovation and business growth
  2. Human capital
  3. Infrastructure
  4. Investment
  5. Institutions

Related items

  1. Women coworking in office, looking at computer screens displaying code, collaborating on project using multimodal AI chatbot technology in software development

    Locked in: A realist's agenda for digital sovereignty

    Digital sovereignty has never been more urgent.
  2. A man stands on a tram during the day holding his phone and wearing headphones

    Empowering people to hold tech accountable

    We need reform to remove structural barriers to people and civil society taking direct action against tech companies in UK courts – putting more power in the hands of people.
  3. The Home Office building in London

    Earned settlement: Decision time

    The government is imminently due to announce plans for a new model of ‘earned settlement’. These are expected to represent the most significant reforms to indefinite leave to remain in a generation.