Northern Mayors partner up to form The Great North

The organisation will be launched in Leeds later on today by Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor, and will look to unlock the region’s economic potential in key sectors such as clean energy, defense, and advanced manufacturing.

Backed by deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, the Great North will lead international trade missions on pan-Northern investments and host a Northern Investment Summit.

Opportunities for the North identified by Mayors include:

• An energy coast proposition down the east coast powering the clean energy revolution, building on 50% of England’s renewable energy already being generated in the North.
• The Northern Arc and White Rose Plan, stretching from the North West across the Pennines anchored by investment in the Transpennine Route Upgrade and proposals in the White Rose Rail report and Liverpool-Manchester Railway.
• A northern security corridor, reaching down from Cumbria and the North East through Lancashire, and bringing together key industrial, engineering and cyber assets that will be essential in securing the UK’s international security.
• Advanced materials and manufacturing corridors bringing together Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, with links into key neighbouring economies, or between the North East and Tees Valley.
• The One Creative North partnership, which will build on and boost the North of England’s creative industries, driving inward investment and economic growth, and delivering new opportunities for creatives and communities to thrive.

A report shows the North could add a potential £118bn to the UK’s economy, if the right investments are made, and comes as an extension of devolution and its powers.

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Chair of The Great North and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “This country needs a northern story written by northern minds, not one handed to us by Whitehall, and this Great North partnership puts us on track to write it.

“Whether it is powering the nation’s homes or powering its imagination, this is the north that will lead the way, building on a great legacy. The opportunity is immense and we are ready to work with anyone who is equally determined to create good jobs.”

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said: “For too long, creative talent has had to leave to achieve, but we’re turning the tide with the launch of One Creative North… One Creative North is a bold answer to a decade of underinvestment in the creative industries across our Great North and will put the UK back on the creative and cultural map.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, said:  “The need for the North of England to speak with a strong, collective voice has never been greater. Devolution is enabling us to deliver better public services and better value for money for taxpayers.”

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:  “Devolution has given us the freedom to move beyond the outdated ‘Whitehall knows best’ mentality which, for too long, held our communities back. By working together, Northern Mayors are showing that devolution isn’t just about shifting powers from Westminster – it’s about reshaping our future on our own terms.

“The North is home to many different accents but now we are speaking with a single, unified voice – to attract investment, open up opportunities, and showcase the very best of what our regions have to offer.”

York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith, said: “In York and North Yorkshire, we’re at the forefront of delivering devolution and growth in an urban-rural-coastal region, we can share our experience with new Mayors and help build resilient rural and coastal communities across the North.

“Working collaboratively, we can make sure every community in the North shares in this opportunity, from coast to coast, in rural villages, towns and cities.”

Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen said: “Despite being of different political parties, we have a track record of delivery and joining forces to bang the drum for the north will help drive even more global investment to our region. For too long the north has played second fiddle to London but this is changing, and now we want to go further.”

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard said: “The Great North gives us a vehicle to tell the shared story of our regions and the 15 million people we represent.”

Hull and East Yorkshire Mayor Luke Campbell said: “As a new Combined Authority, it’s a fantastic opportunity for Hull and East Yorkshire to join up across the north on transport and other major infrastructure projects, where we can make big changes happen and improve people’s lives by working together.”

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “We are taking action to shift power out of Whitehall and into our communities, giving local leaders the tools they need to realise their areas’ potential.

“Initiatives like The Great North are critical to this – putting directly elected Mayors front and centre of exciting plans for regional collaboration, in the places they know better than anyone else, building stronger and happier communities in the process.”