March 17th, 2018
This week our city regions were over at MIPIM, selling themselves to an international audience of keen investors. The narrative of the Northern Powerhouse has largely focused on cities - cities collaborating, cities being brought together through improved transport links - but there is more to the north of England than just our thriving cities. This week we have an exclusive contribution from John Stevenson MP, on what the rural economy means to the Northern Powerhouse.
SIMON COLLINGWOOD Director, Quatro North, 07427 228288
During the last Government, The Northern Powerhouse concept was one of those ideas that really seemed to capture the imagination. It seemed to encapsulate a new energy and optimism about the north.
The concept is very much still on the agenda, and recently we have seen three major launches bringing renewed energy to the project; the setting up on the APPG for the Northern Powerhouse, the recent report from the Northern Powerhouse Partnership on education and skills in the north, and the initial transport plan proposals from Transport for the North.
These are all very positive developments, helped enormously by a proactive Minister for the Northern Powerhouse in Jake Berry.
However, one of the criticisms always levelled at the Northern Powerhouse is – what does it do for places like my constituency of Carlisle? The economic theory behind the Northern Powerhouse was based around the urban “belt” of the north – that part of the country that stretches from Liverpool, through Manchester and Leeds/Sheffield to Hull.
These major cities are vital parts of the north, but they alone do not constitute the north. Places like Cumbria, Northumberland, North Yorkshire, and rural Lancashire are all important parts of the north too – but are often not necessarily the first places people thing about when the Northern Powerhouse is mentioned.
This is why ideas like the recent Borderlands initiative are so important. With the support of Jake Berry and David Mundell, the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Chancellor gave the green light in last year’s budget for a Borderlands growth deal.
The concept is unique in that it crosses the Scottish-English border and is very much more of a rurally based growth deal than the ones previously drawn up. Much work is still needed to flesh out what it will mean, but the initial reaction from local councils, MPs, MSPs and business has been incredibly positive. There is a strong sense that this is “our” own Northern Powerhouse and that it could present a real opportunity for the region to open itself up and show the rest of the country – and the world – what we have to offer.
I’ve always thought one of the great strengths of London is that, despite its enormous size, it still has a single and united view of itself. In London what is good for one part of London is good for the other parts too. Strengthening this mentality in the north will be one of the most important legacies of the Northern Powerhouse. It really seems to me that there is now a genuine desire in the north to work together for the good of our region. It is why I support a Northern Powerhouse Rail and upgrades for trans-Pennine routes south of Cumbria.
And it is through initiatives like the Borderlands that the Government can demonstrate how the Northern Powerhouse really is about empowering the north – all of it. Our job in the Borderlands is to translate that empowerment into success for us in the Borders, as well as for the rest of the north.
JOHN STEVENSON MP, Member of Parliament for Carlisle
Transport & Infrastructure
'Once in a century' vision to completely transform Piccadilly Station unveiled
A ‘once in a century’ vision to transform Piccadilly Station and the surrounding area has been unveiled. Manchester council says the plan would see the station entirely rebuilt - including a new HS2 terminus on top of a new Metrolink stop - with a tree-lined boulevard stretching out east towards Travis Street.
Tees Valley Mayor receives government approval of £59m transport funding scheme
Transport secretary, Chris Grayling has written to Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen confirming a £59m transport fund that is being devolved to the region. The details of the money, ring fenced for Tees Valley, came as it was announced today (March 14) during the Chancellor’s Spring Statement (March 13) that local authorities in other cities, such as Newcastle and Leeds, have been invited to bid for a piece of the government’s Transforming Cities Fund.
Government to back Crewe hub proposals
A high-speed rail service to Stoke-on-Trent, platform extensions and a redesigned junction at Crewe to give more travellers access to HS2 are amongst plans being backed by government. Transport secretary Chris Grayling confirmed that a number of proposals for HS2 Phase 2a from the West Midlands to Crewe will now be modified.
Insider Media, 12th March
Spring Statement: £15m boost for super-fast broadband in North Yorkshire
Hundreds of public sector sites across North Yorkshire will be connected with high-speed fibre broadband after the Chancellor announced £15m in extra funding for the county. England’s largest county was one of 13 areas to benefit from the first wave of funding from the Government’s £190 million Local Full Fibre Network (LFFN), it was announced in the Spring Statement.
Yorkshire Post, 13th March
Loganair launches new routes from Carlisle
Loganair will operate eight flights per-day across the working week and a total of 12 at weekends, connecting Cumbria and the Lake District, which receives 45 million visitors per year, to the three destinations. Dublin will also have a daily service each day of the week and Belfast City will be served daily, excluding Saturday.
Economy & Skills
Council leaders in Leeds set out ambitious proposals to double size of city
Council leaders in Leeds have announced transformative plans for the city with ambitions to double its size by developing 16,500 new homes and creating of 35,000 local jobs. Representatives from Leeds City Council outlined their plans for housing growth in the city today at the MIPIM real estate expo in Cannes. The expansion of the city centre and proposals for the country’s largest sustainable housing development were at the centre of the announcement which looks to show how Leeds will continue to attract investment and be a thriving place to live.
Blackpool's Energy HQ is at heart of the nations' skills training
Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry said the opening of the college at the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone was an important moment not only for the area but for the country. He was in the resort for the official opening of Blackpool and The Fylde College’s £10.7m Lancashire Energy HQ, the flagship development of the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone.
Bradford NPR station could provide £15bn boost - research
A new Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) station in Bradford city centre could provide a £15bn boost to the economy, according to new research. The research, which was undertaken by GENECON, was revealed at MIPIM. It has been commissioned by Bradford Council to help support its campaign to secure a city centre station on NPR and make the case to government and Transport for the North.
Politics
Leaders set out the need for a combined voice in the north
The Manchester pavilion at MIPIM may have suffered some upheaval due to weather issues yesterday, but a series of Northern speakers this afternoon spoke on the relocated stand about how they need to have a combined voice to continue to attract investment in housing, infrastructure, skills and much more in the north.
Planning and Development
York Central plan revealed
A plan to build thousands of homes and major commercial space next to York Railway Station, which has been 25 years in the making, has been revealed. The York Central scheme, which is expected to create 6,500 jobs, was announced at global property expo MIPIM on Wednesday (14 March 2018).
Latest phase of Sheffield city centre development moves forward
Details have been revealed on the latest phase of Sheffield's transformative city centre regeneration scheme, including new retail, office and residential development. Heart of the City II is the new working title for the city centre development scheme, formerly known as the Sheffield Retail Quarter.
Plans revealed for major new tech facility in Cheshire
Cheshire’s Tatton Estate and Manchester Metropolitan University are collaborating to create a major new addition to the Liverpool-Manchester science corridor. Tatton Estate and the University are to unveil plans at the world’s foremost property and investment event taking place in Cannes, France this week to create a multi-million pound 3D printing facility between Altrincham and Knutsford and close to Manchester Airport.
Plans in for further Advanced Manufacturing Park development
Harworth Group has submitted new plans for further development at the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Waverley, Rotherham. More than 400,000 sq ft of space will be created close to existing occupiers such as Rolls Royce, Boeing and McLaren. Barton Willmore, on behalf of the developer, has lodged an outline application with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council for the remaining undeveloped plots at the park.
Development company to implement Knowledge Quarter vision
A new company is being launched to oversee investment and development in science and tech buildings across Liverpool. The Knowledge Quarter Development Company (KQDC) will be responsible for updating the area's facilities in the two sectors and providing workspace and lab developments as the city moves to consolidate its position as a "world-class innovation district".
Energy Innovation District to drive NW property investment
An initiative designed to cut energy costs for industrial businesses across the North West – which could put the Golden Triangle of Cheshire, Liverpool and Manchester on the global map for property investment – has been unveiled. It is hoped that the emerging scheme – dubbed the Energy Innovation District – will put Cheshire at the forefront of securing investment from the energy-intensive industry and disruptive technology companies relocating to the UK.
£350m Oldham masterplan to take huge step forward
Plans for the £350m Oldham town regeneration project look set to move ahead. Tom Stannard, Oldham Council's director of economy and skills, will announce at MIPIM that the proposals will go before cabinet on 26 March, with approval expected to be granted.
Development partner named for £140m business park scheme
A development partner has been selected for a new £140m North East business park that will provide more than 1.75 million sq ft of accommodation. Richardson Barberry has signed an agreement as retained development partner with joint venture company Forrest Park Newton Aycliffe for the expansion of Aycliffe Business Park on the 116-acre Forrest Park site, with potential to accommodate a rail freight interchange. The announcement was made at MIPIM.
Northern Innovators
Indian delegation to visit Leeds jukebox store
The British Deputy High Commission to Chandigarh, India, has arranged for a delegation to visit to the world’s only manufacturer of vinyl jukeboxes at its Leeds pop-up store. Forming part of an inward investment mission, the visit has been organised to celebrate the strong connections between the UK Northern Powerhouse and India’s future collaboration.
Northern Powerhouse Health Innovation conference calls for the 'march of the willing'
Rowena Burns, the executive chair at Health Innovation Manchester and chair at Manchester Science Partnerships, has told the audience at Insider's Northern Powerhouse Health Innovation conference (7 March 2018) that devolution "creates something special" when it comes to the potential to change the way healthcare is delivered in Greater Manchester.
Northern brewers unite for new collaboration series
Wylam brewery has announced details of a new collaboration series with eight craft breweries from the north of England.
Business Matters: Overcoming the risk of innovation in manufacturing
Naomi Morrow of Sunderland Software City says that if worked at, innovation can create 'significant rewards'. The innovation hype seems here to stay yet it has become clear that there is little support globally for companies within the manufacturing supply chain. There is a misconception that innovation is easy for the OEMs and close to impossible for their suppliers. However, innovation isn’t easy for any organisation; it is something that can create significant rewards, but it must be worked at.
Devolution
Three policy priorities for Sheffield City Region
Sheffield City Region will elect its first metro mayor in May. He or she will need a vision for the city-region and clear strategic, deliverable policies to meet it. The challenge and workload will be considerable, with powers and expectations ranging from delivering policy, to establishing the institutions and capacity for effective city-region governance.
Arts & Culture
Hull UK City of Culture impact revealed
Hull's UK City of Culture year provided a £300m boost to the city's tourism industry according to the University of Hull's preliminary evaluation. It found that Hull's UK City of Culture year attracted a total audience of 5.3 million, attending more than 2,800 events, cultural activities, installations and exhibitions. More than 95 per cent of the city's residents attended at least one cultural activity during the year.
Culture bosses meet with Minister to discuss Leeds 2023 follow-up plan after dashed European title hopes
Culture bosses from Leeds have met with a Government Minister to discuss the next step after the city’s dashed hopes of becoming European Capital of Culture in 2023. As previously reported, Leeds had submitted a high-profile bid for the title, before the plug was belatedly pulled on a UK entry by the European Commission due to Brexit. Council bosses have since announced they want to host their own ‘year of culture’ in 2023 to
celebrate the best of the city’s arts scene.
Yorkshire Evening Post, 14th March
Opinion & Research
Robots could make the UK’s north-south divide even worse
Technological progress is normal. A steady flow of new developments enables a gradual increase in prosperity. But sometimes – and perhaps now is such a time – that flow is not so steady. Synchronous fundamental developments allow leaps forward to be made in multiple dimensions. Progress in artificial intelligence, robotics, and genetics all promise change that is unusually wide ranging. The benefits – which include improved gadgets, health and food security – are easy to appreciate. Equally, though, there are challenges posed by rapid change – especially for workers who have invested in skills that are set to become obsolete.
Productivity lowest in West Yorkshire and Sheffield City regions
West Yorkshire and the Sheffield City region have been ranked among the least productive parts of the UK. Office for National Statistics figures show that Sheffield is 19.2 percent less productive than the UK average and West Yorkshire is 13.2 percent less productive.
Yorkshire Post, 12th March
Transport improvements, cutting the skills gap and investing in technology should be at heart of Philip Hammond's Spring Statement, KPMG's David Elliott tells The Northern Echo
Ahead of tomorrow’s Spring Statement (Tuesday, March 13), KPMG’s David Elliott speaks exclusively to The Northern Echo about how the Chancellor must map out a route to productivity and growth. Mr Hammond is set to deliver the shortest fiscal statement in history, which is expected to last just 15 minutes.
Manchester 'must think like London or New York'
Sir Richard Leese, the leader of Manchester City Council, has told Insider that major infrastructure projects such as HS2 and the redevelopment of Piccadilly Station are "an investment for the next 100 years". He also warned that the biggest challenge facing the city in the coming decade is its connectivity to London and other northern cities, and that Manchester must think more like the capital or New York in order to grow.
