Burnham calls for ‘new deal’ for the North

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham today demanded a ‘new deal’ for the North.

Speaking at a press conference at the Convention of the North in Preston he highlighted transport and housing as two of the major areas that had to be addressed.

He told journalists: “The big message I think that needs to come out of this convention is we need a new deal for the North of England, for this parliament and for the next decade.

“We have had the false promises of Northern Powerhouse and Levelling Up, the North can’t repeatedly be given false promises. We need mayors and ministers working together to get that new deal.”

And he added: “If there is to be airport expansion in the south east and a new corridor between Oxford and Cambridge that is only justifiable if there is that new deal for the North to balance it.

“We can’t carry on the model of economic growth that is only based around London and the south east.”

Looking ahead to the government’s looming spending review, Labour mayor Mr Burnham said investment in major transport infrastructure projects in the North was vital if there was to be economic growth.

Speaking at the press conference, alongside fellow mayors from across the North and Aidy Riggott, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for economic development and growth, Mr Burnham said without that that investment the region and its people would remain at a disadvantage.

Earlier in the day, talking on the main stage of the conference, being held at the University of Lancashire, he highlighted a new public accounts committee report on the HS2 rail project. The northern leg of that high-speed rail link was scrapped by the previous Conservative government amid spiralling costs.

Mr Burnham said the report had confirmed that the West Coast mainline would reach its capacity in the second half of the 2030s, alongside a M6 motorway that would also be “full”.  And he added: "It is not acceptable that we don't have an alternative plan to stop that happening."

He repeated his call for a new rail line to connect the North West to the West Midlands and said if that did not happen HS2 would be a “monument to inequality.”

Turning towards housing, he called for a building programme across the North to deliver low carbon council houses and social housing, describing it as a “huge opportunity” to create jobs and skills.

The North will be the first part of England to be fully covered by devolution following recent government announcements, and the Northern mayors and leaders came together to highlight how they will work together with their devolved powers to drive economic growth and improve the lives of people across the region.

Liverpool city region mayor Steve Rotheram told the press conference: “Though we speak with different accents we all speak with one voice.”

Councillor Riggott said Lancashire’s new Combined County Authority marked a “step change” in the county’s devolution journey.

He also highlighted its newly published growth plan, which was launched at the conference and is being presented for consultation.

He said: “The growth plan is a real reminder how important our economy is, it is one of the biggest in the North, and the opportunities we have.”