On the announcement that transport powers will be
devolved to places in the North, IPPR North Senior Research
Fellow Luke Raikes said:
“If it goes ahead this would be a big and important change
for the North’s creaking transport network. But it’s a promise
that must be kept to all parts of the North, not just its
cities.
“The Prime Minister must now follow through on this and the
other promises he has made to the North, including on investments
to sit alongside these powers. We need to go even further than
today's promises too, so that the Northern Powerhouse can be
truly led by the North.”
On devolution and Yorkshire, IPPR North Interim
Director Arianna Giovannini said:
“It is welcome to hear the Prime Minister talk of his
support for more devolution. But one thing is clear- devolution
will not and cannot work if it is shaped by Government rather
than local people. Support alone is not enough. We need to see
real powers and funding being devolved to all northern
leaders.
“ Devolution to Yorkshire is also to be welcomed.
Setting up a Yorkshire Committee is a step in the right direction
- but more needs to be done by central government to give local
leaders across the region the levers they need to shape the
future of Yorkshire from the grassroots”
On the new pan-northern growth body, IPPR North
Senior Research Fellow Luke Raikes said:
“Pan-northern economic policy is essential for the Northern
Powerhouse agenda but it must be accountable to the North not
imposed by central government.”
