The Prime Minister and Chancellor today set out their six-point long-term economic plan for the north-west, highlighting what has been delivered, what is underway and the next steps in building a northern powerhouse.
At a speech at Old Granada Studios, the site of what will become the new theatre called The “Factory Manchester” the pair set out the detailed plan at the start of a two day tour of the north-west.
Mr Cameron and Mr Osbourne showed how the north-west has seen the joint fastest growth in output per head in the UK in 2013, the most recent year for which data is available and announced that there are more people in work in the region than at any time on record, with an average of 200 more people in employment per day over the past year.
The pair promised that their Northern Powerhouse would bring about an £18bn real terms increase in the size of the north-west economy by 2030, the equivalent to over £2,000 per person in the north-west in real terms and deliver over 100,000 more people in employment during the next Parliament as well as up to 25,000 new homes for families in the north-west.
The pair also announced There are no quick fixes to achieving these important goals, so the Prime Minister and Chancellor are also setting out a specific timetable to deliver the key concepts of this plan over the five years of the next parliament, and the following decade (see details in notes to editors). As important next steps in the plan for the north-west, the pair announced three new measures to improve transport links, invest in science, and boost house-building.
Colin Matthews, the new Chairman of the Highways Agency, will oversee the development of a plan for a major improvement in trans Pennine roads,
The Chancellor has asked Professor Ian Greer, Provost of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Liverpool to develop “Health North” – a programme to unlock future medical innovations. The move follows major science investments in the North West at the Autumn Statement, including the new quarter-billion pound Henry Royce Institute for advanced materials research and innovation.
The PM and Chancellor also announced the short list for Housing Zones, areas which are in line to receive government loans to regenerate run-down brownfield areas into new housing. Three shortlisted schemes in the north-west have put forward proposals to create up to 5,500 homes.
Commenting on David Cameron’s visit to Manchester Labour and Co-operative MP for Manchester Central Lucy Powell said:
“David Cameron has a cheek visiting Manchester and proclaiming his support for the North on the same day Manchester City Council is announcing further drastic cuts to their budget as a result of the unfair local government finance settlement.” Adding that
“People will not be fooled by the Prime Minister’s weasel words when the city has paid a heavy price for his failed economic plan.”
She pointed out that living standards have fallen across Manchester on David Cameron’s watch;
“since 2010 families in full-time work in the North West are £2202 worse off as prices have risen and wages have fallen; thousands of families have been forced to use foodbanks every month because of policies like the bedroom tax; and the number of people on zero hours contracts have rocketed with people finding it harder and harder to make ends meet.”
