Today I attended the launch of the APPG for the Northern Powerhouse, for which I am delighted to have been elected Co-Chair. This is a cross party group, made up of MPs, civic leaders, peers and business leaders to speak with one voice to make sure we attract our fair share of investment to the North of England and to ensure we have greater influence at Westminster. It’s absolutely imperative that we speak with one voice and clearly articulate the issues affecting the region so we can attract the investment we badly need. From a transport perspective, this might include the wider regional needs such as improved rail connectivity between Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds but also, more locally to North Yorkshire, better connections between York and Scarborough, Hull and Harrogate. This is an opportunity for us all, whatever our political affiliation, to pull together with regional businesses to identify how much the North actually needs and then we must ensure that we are given the autonomy to spend this cash how we see fit. The new group will also focus on raising educational standards across the North, on narrowing the skills gap, increasing productivity, improving broadband connectivity and exploring devolution deals for our region.
This is exactly the kind of joint initiative that we need and I am one hundred percent behind it.