The Prime Minister will today reaffirm his pledge to give even
more powers to people, businesses and political leaders across
Northern regions.
In a speech in South Yorkshire, he is expected to reiterate that
he remains committed to delivering the Sheffield City Region Deal
– and to opening up negotiations with Leeds and West Yorkshire.
The government will also create a new Northern Powerhouse growth
body to drive forward the region’s economy, and with the powers
to bring together major organisations working in the
region.
A Chair will be appointed to head up the body, working closely
with the Minister for the Northern Powerhouse.
Speaking to local business leaders, mayors and councillors, the
Prime Minister is expected to say:
“It is time that we gave more people a say over the places
where they live, and it is time that we gave you the proper
ability to run things your way.
“We are going to maximise
the power of the north. And we are going to make sure that it is
people here who are in control over the things that matter to
them.
On entering Downing Street, the Prime Minister made it his
priority to level up and unlock the potential of every corner of
the UK – not just London and the South East.
Last week on a visit to Yorkshire, he reaffirmed his commitment
to delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail. The first step will be
the Manchester to Leeds route, with detailed plans published this
autumn, following the review into HS2.
The new route is expected to cut journey times significantly and
provide additional capacity for people across the region.
Today the Prime Minister will reaffirm that one of his top
domestic priorities will be to give more powers to local leaders
to ensure communities are in control over the things that matter
to them, such as transport, infrastructure and housing.
He will conclude his speech by saying:
“If we succeed in levelling up opportunity across our country,
and if we truly put the power in your hands, then I believe you
will do for the North – and for our whole country - what the
railways did two centuries ago.
“That is the true potential of this Northern Powerhouse
Partnership. And this is a Government that will back you to
deliver it.”
Notes to Editors:
The below Mayors are currently in place:
, Mayor of the West of
England
, Mayor of Greater Manchester
, Mayor of the Tees Valley
, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and
Peterborough
, Mayor of Liverpool City
Region
, Mayor of Sheffield City Region
Jamie Driscoll, Mayor of the North of Tyne
, Mayor of the West Midlands
Last week, the government also announced the names of one hundred
towns eligible to benefit from our £3.6 billion Towns Fund. This
includes 45 locations across the Northern Powerhouse.
