The North West must be granted greater economic powers in order to improve the region’s competitive advantage, a report has urged.
‘The Future of the North West’, a paper launched today by the Smith Institute at a Houses of Parliament seminar with regional minister Phil Woolas, highlights the growth potential for the region.
The authors also call for long-term support for the region’s newly emerging low carbon energy sector.
The paper claims that the North West has been at the forefront of the regional renaissance, with its economy growing faster than the average over the last decade. The region’s economy is now worth £120bn, it says, bigger than 15 EU member countries.
However, the authors claim that that decisions should be made at a local level in order that the North West’s four key priorities are addressed; capitalising on a low-carbon economy, increasing competitiveness, further reducing poverty and ensuring housing and infrastructure for growth.
The report includes contributions from Manchester city council leader Sir Richard Leese, as well as Robert Hough, chairman of the Northwest Regional Development Agency and Flo Clucas, deputy leader of Liverpool city council.
Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA, said: “‘The future of the North West’ is a considered piece of work that has contributions from private and public stakeholders from across the region and has the support of all the major political parties.”
Paul Hackett, director of the Smith Institute, said: “The North West has the potential to lead the north out of the recession but government needs to give the region more economic control over its destiny and recognise the value of its partnerships.”
daniel.cunningham@estatesgazette.com
