Business leaders are calling on the Prime Minister to prioritise the North in the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
Seventy-seven chief executives and directors have signed a letter outlining three demands to ensure Northern businesses and communities are not 'locked down indefinitely'.
Business leaders are backing three priorities for North, as outlined by the Northern Research Group. These are:
- A 'clear roadmap' out of the tiering system when lockdown ends on December 2
- An agreement to accelerate infrastructure projects already in the pipeline, such as HS2, to boost growth and productivity
-
A Northern Economic Recovery Plan to boost employment opportunities and promote economic growth
Signatories include, Sir Howard Bernstein, former Chief Executive of Manchester City Council, Nick Thompson, Executive Manager, of Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Steven Underwood, CEO of the Peel Group.
The letter said: "Firstly, we ask for a clear route out of lockdown, setting out a comprehensive course of action for the tiering system which clarifies when and how local areas can ease restrictions to relieve pressure on the economy.
"More certainty would help to provide reassurance and confidence to people and businesses across the North, many of whom have been living under tough local restrictions for more than four months.
"We also ask for confirmation from the Government that it will be Metro Mayors and local authorities that have the power to take areas out of restrictions, including if after four weeks the restrictions are judged to be ineffective.
"Secondly, we urge the Government to bring forward investment which was promised in last year’s manifesto to build back better.
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"Large-scale infrastructure projects, including beginning the delivery of HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail new lines and linked upgrades, as well as fibre to business and homes with 5G, will be critical to driving up connectivity and productivity – which here still lags far behind what is needed. In the process, we can hope to stem the tide of rising unemployment with highly-skilled, well-paid jobs for Northern workers.
"Thirdly, we support the need for a Northern Economic Recovery Plan, in order to boost employment opportunities and promote economic growth for Northern communities led and controlled from here to be published alongside the one year spending plans."
The Northern Research Group (NRG) is a group of more than 50 Conservative MPs from the North of England, North Wales and Scottish Border.
Mary Robinson, MP for Cheadle, added: "We welcome the announcement that northern businesses have responded positively to our letter to the Prime Minister calling for the North to be prioritised in our country’s economic recovery.”
“The North is at its strongest when it’s elected representatives, leaders and businesses pull together to deliver on our shared ambition.”
“Never has there been a more pertinent and urgent political and economic case than ours.”