Press Story

In a report published today by ippr north, a range of regional experts argues that northern regions must carve out their own futures, define their own regional economic identities, transform their own public services, and build their own Big Societies. With the political map of England now so clearly divided, this needs to be done in conversation with the new coalition government, but not at its mercy.

Election Unplugged II: Northern reflections on the Coalition's programme for government, analyses the Government's plans for economic development and regeneration, local government, public services and the 'Big Society' and what they might mean for the North.

It reflects on some challenging times ahead for the North as spending cuts are delivered, especially in areas where the public sector constitutes a relatively large proportion of the economy. But it also argues there are also considerable opportunities in the Coalition's Programme for Government, including:

building new economic era with a greener economy that is more geographically balanced and less dependent on the financial services industry;
new approaches to welfare-to-work;
new freedoms and incentives to innovate brought about by decentralisation;
and a 'Big Society' agenda which plays to regional strengths.

The report argues that while the North is increasingly marginalised within Whitehall this can create space for building stronger allegiances and shared agendas. By working together the North can put a positive case to central government for how we want our economies to develop, our public services to be reformed and our Big Societies built.

Ed Cox, Director of ippr north said:

"This is a time for leading not pleading. The recession has hit northern regions hard, and the prospect of large cuts to public spending is causing significant anxiety in those parts of England where the public sector constitutes a relatively large proportion of economic activity. But just begging the government to treat the North as a special case won't work. Instead, what is needed is leadership, collaboration and clear vision as well as a healthy dose of compromise and pragmatism, Northern regions can rise to the challenge and not only survive the spending cuts, but carve out a new identity and flourish as the nation's real innovators."

Contributors include:

Katie Schmuecker, Senior Research Fellow at ippr north
Professor Alan Harding, Director of the Institute of Political and Economic Governance (ipeg) at the University of Manchester
Ed Cox, Director of ippr north
Rob Williamson, Director of the Community Foundation for Tyne and Wear
Guardian columnist Peter Hetherington

Notes to editors:

The first ippr north Election Unplugged report offered reflections on the manifestos of the main political parties from a northern perspective.

To launch this pamphlet, ippr north is holding a Caf? Politique event on Monday June 7 from 7-9pm with ippr north Director Ed Cox. This will be the public event as part of our Election Unplugged series and will explore how a Conservative-Lib Dem coalition will affect economic recovery in the North. Richard Moss, BBC Political Editor for the North East, is chairing the discussion. More information

Contact:

If you would like to arrange interviews with any of the contributors or would like to attend the pamphlet launch event, please contact Tamsin Crimmens: t.crimmens@ippr.org / 0191 233 9051 / 07800 742 262.