Northern Powerhouse 'undermined' by austerity five years on

[celeste]

The Northern Powerhouse is being "undermined" by austerity despite signs of economic growth, a think tank says.

Five years since its launch, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said the project was at risk of "fizzling out".

The Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) North said the economy had "moved in the right direction" but more children were living in "poor" households.

The government said record numbers of people were in work across the north.

IPPR North, a centre-left think tank, said the Northern Powerhouse had succeeded in devolving power by creating five new "metro mayors" and a regional transport body - Transport for the North.




However, it said the government had "undermined" the project while making cuts in public spending. Although spending has recently increased, the north has seen an overall £3.6bn a year reduction in real terms since 2009-10, while south-east and south-west England saw a £4.7bn rise.

 


Rise or fall in the number of jobs

Percentage change between June 2014 and March 2019 /continued

[sofcookies]

From a Manchester perspective the one thing which needs to be done is to bring the public transport, especially buses, into closer co-operation.  Allowing a scheme like the Oyster card in London to flourish.  Then look at Northern rail links and a wider Metrolink system which doesn't go through central Manchester to encourage re-generation in the old industrial boroughs. Link those towns together and spread the wealth.   


The Northern Powerhouse was a great idea but in reality some are now pushing for a Northern assembly which would remove power from local borough's and centralise them which would have the opposite effect on what is achievable.


Look at Liverpool planing to build social homes so reversing for the very poorest the push to housing associations.  https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-building-council-houses-first-16460832  this is really what should be trumpetted under the Northern powerhouse rather than expansion plans cetnered around Manchester Airport and developing green belt land.  https://forwardersmatter.com/ethiopian-airlines-manchester-airport/  or  https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/reports/manchester-airport-new-routes-boost-northern-powerhouse-419112