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. Panoramic view of the Cardiff Bay

    The heart health divide: Cardiovascular inequalities in Wales

    Our third blog on cardiovascular disease in the devolved nations turns the spotlight on Wales. 
  2. Reading news online on phone

    AI's got news for you: Can AI improve our information environment?

    Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming our information environment and becoming a new front door through which the public access the news.

  3. Apples and oranges? Scottish teachers’ pay in international context

    This is the first in a series of IPPR Scotland blogs as part of our project on Employment, Productivity and Reform in the Scottish Public Sector. This project is funded by the Robertson Trust.