Those reading the Telegraph over the weekend my have cast eyes upon an article by Jim O’ Neill that put forward the argument that merging Northern cities and devolving fiscal powers to them could spark stronger, more diverse and inclusive economic growth.
His project in particular May have pricked the ears of the citizens of Liverpool and Manchester, arch rivals for the best part of three hundred years when he suggested the concept of ManPool”, where Liverpool and Manchester might bring together their populations and resources to create a “supercity” in the north.
O’Neill is currently chair of the City Growth Commission and was in Manchester this week for the Commission’s first evidence hearing.Whilst here, he took the opportunity to air his views at the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) and came away with the view that the more that can be done to improve infrastructure and commercial links between the two cities, the more likely that aggregate benefits would accrue.
O’Neill sums up his argument thus
For those urban areas, which are well organised and effective, decentralisation is surely a matter of “when” not “if”. Along with London, Greater Manchester would seem an obvious candidate.
The City Growth Commission is an independent inquiry aimed at trying to boost urban growth in the major UK cities. It is running for just 12 months and plans to publish its recommendations in October to influence the political debate in the build-up to the General Election.
What do we in Manchester think of a North West Super City?
