State of the North 2021/22: Powering northern excellence
Article
Two years on from the UK government’s promise to level up, the rhetoric has reached fever pitch, but its definition and the policies to deliver it remain elusive.
This year’s State of the North report highlights the gap between promises and reality on levelling up. We need to further empower those across the North who are already levelling up for themselves, and make sure no place or community is left behind.
To underpin this objective we provide three missions for a prosperous North that offer a clear roadmap for central government, mayors, combined authorities, local government and communities to ensure levelling up succeeds, and the North can thrive:
- building a new economy that promotes widespread prosperity
- making the North the engine of the net zero transition
- providing everyone with access to high-quality, life-long education.
Related items

Levelling the playing field: The BBC, Big Tech, and the case for a bold charter
The upcoming charter renewal is the moment to give the BBC the resources, freedom and mission it needs to engage with technology firms on its own terms.
Britain's strategy for a decade of danger: Our nation, our continent, our world
Britain's foreign policy needs a grand strategy that clearly defines the country’s strategy for security, growth and migration.
Will planning reform make housing more affordable?
It is undeniable that housing in England is in crisis.