State of the North 2018: Reprioritising the Northern Powerhouse

Article

The north of England has rarely faced such threat and opportunity. Brexit looms; budgets in essential NHS and council services are at breaking point. The world’s major, long-term challenges – globalisation, climate change, AI, automation and an ageing population – continue to test the North’s energy and innovation.

There are opportunities: new infrastructure – long promised – could soon be brought forward; industrial strategy could support the North’s world-leading frontier industries to innovate and advance; new and established mayors can consolidate city-region leadership across the North. These opportunities need to be taken but many more need to be created in the years ahead.

This is IPPR North’s fifth annual State of the North report. As the Northern Powerhouse takes on new life but faces unprecedented challenges, we set out five priorities for northern leaders to take this important agenda into a new phase.

1. Commit to a ‘whole North’ approach
2. Support job creation and productivity in high-growth and large-employment sectors
of the economy
3. Invest in both infrastructure and people
4. Deliver economic justice
5. Lead from the North

Related items

  1. A close up photograph of a polling station sign on the outside of a building

    Reimagining lawmaking: How to rebuild trust in parliament

    People feel that politics is something that is done to them, not with them. This must change.
  2. Scottish parliament building at Holyrood and Calton Hill, Edinburgh

    Constructive coalitions? What the election means for the seventh session of the Scottish parliament

    What do the results of the 2026 Scottish parliament election tell us about how Scottish politics is changing? What do progressive parties need to do to get back on track?
  3. Door, leaving or back with parent and child in home together for goodbye or start of morning. Entrance, family or holding hands with person and kid in apartment for travel to school or business

    Work isn't working: Family, work and progression on a low income

    Most children in poverty in the UK are in working households, a phenomenon that has emerged since the early 2000s.