Modernising elections: How to get voters back | IPPR One in every two adults living in this country voted at the 2024 general election. This is the lowest share of the population to vote since universal suffr

🗣️The more voices heard, the stronger our democracy.

Read IPPR's case for AVR here 👇
www.ippr.org//articles/mo...

IPPR has long called for Automatic Voter Registration (AVR), to allow everyone to have a say in our democracy.

The government has already signalled its intent to deliver this through its Elections Bill, but we need AVR before the next general election.

But the last-minute registration rush shouldn't be the norm. 8 million people shut out of democracy is a systemic failure.

There's a better way, to make this rush to register a thing of the past 👇

These elections next month matter, they'll shape local government across England, and national government in Scotland and Wales.

So the more people who have their say, the better!

Register to vote Register to vote to take part in elections in the UK. Includes how to get on the electoral register and how to update your address on the register.

🗳️It's the last day to register to vote in next month's local elections, taking place across the north!

With 8million eligible citizens unable to vote at the last general election due to being unregistered, signing up has never been more important ⬇️
www.gov.uk/register-to-...

Inside The Hive: What Manchesterism Actually Means What would Burnham’s Britain look like? Ros Taylor explores the Manchester mayor’s governing philosophy – derided by some as more a vibe than a rep...

Manchesterism! What is it, what isn’t it? My piece for @thehousemag.bsky.social, featuring a great picture of Andy Burnham riding a bee.

www.politicshome.com/news/article...

🤔💷Should local leaders have more say over how our taxes are spent?

Fiscal devolution might be the game changer the North’s been waiting for.

Here's why 👇

Better Connected: tap-and-go travel across trains, trams and buses announced in government's new transport strategy Strategy sets the direction for a more joined-up transport network that works better for passengers, drivers and communities across England.

This, alongside the government announcement on nationwide real-time bus tracking, is welcome.

Buses help grow our economy, connect people to opportunities, and reduce our emissions.

IPPR North love buses, and we know the public do too!

www.gov.uk/government/n...

🚎🚊Inter-connectivity for our public transport isn't a luxury, it's a necessity.

🛤️Rural areas across the North and the UK deserve reliable, common-sense transport networks that get people where they need to be.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

State of the North 2025 - The kids aren't alright: How to deliver for young people in the North | IPPR This is a pivotal moment for young people. The current generation of young people (Gen Z) has grown up in extremely challenging circumstances. Many are see

Devolving culture spending to the mayors is the best way to ensure the next generation of northern talent has the same access to success as anyone born a little further down south.

Read more here:
www.ippr.org/articles/the...

State of the North: the £450 million culture chasm fuelling regional inequality | IPPR London receives twice as much culture funding as the NorthLeading think tank and The Great North unite to call out culture divideNew research by IPPR North

But the money awarded to winning towns is a drop in the ocean compared to the £450million gap in Arts Council funding between London and the North in recent years.

The State of the North 2025 highlighted a clear need to redress historic underfunding:

www.ippr.org/media-office...

New Town of Culture competition to shine a spotlight on the contribution of towns that tell national story Towns encouraged to apply for new UK Town of Culture competition opening in the coming weeks

Today is the deadline for entries to the UK Town of Culture competition!

It's great to see so many northern towns put themselves forward; the north is a region rich with contributions to the UK's music, arts, and theatre scenes.

www.gov.uk/government/n...

Celebrating Big Local – the movement communities made 🎉
For 15 years, 150 communities across England led change in their areas. As the programme closes, we’re celebrating the people, stories, and legacy of what’s possible with time, trust, and resources.
Explore it all here: https://bit.ly/4m4GqS2

Big news from MHCLG on the latest in local government reorganisation!

IPPR North's @ryanswift93.bsky.social reacts to the announcement today 👇

Regional economies: The role of industrial strategy as a pathway to greener growth | IPPR The government’s ongoing development of an industrial strategy provides an opportune moment to lay the foundations for a stronger and more secure domestic

🚨💷 The £1.7bn to boost the North's industrial strategy is a huge win for the region, and the nation.

IPPR North have long championed the link between deeper devolution and the country's industrial strengths👇👇

www.ippr.org/articles/reg...

**Middlesbrough - oops!

Blackpool, Ipswich, Milton Keynes among nine finalists for UK City of Culture 2029 The nine-strong longlist of cities will receive a £60,000 boost of funding to develop a full bid plan.

🤩Blackpool, Sheffield, and Middlesborough have all been shortlisted for the UK City of Culture 2029!

Will we be able to hoard the esteemed title in the North? We certainly hope so. Best of luck to all those involved with their bids.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

📈🗝️Regional growth, particularly in the North, is key to a thriving economy.

Prosperity in the North means prosperity for the UK.

Mirte Boot, Interim Head of IPPR North reacts to the Chancellor's annual Mais Lecture today👇

1/ Said this in our transport report, and good to see it in Reeves’ Mais Lecture.

Plans for fiscal devolution, including a share of income tax, are overdue.

It stifles growth that mayors take on the risk to deliver projects, while central government captures the upside through rising tax receipts.

🏨A visitor levy could be a game‑changer for the North, as it has been across Europe.

🪙A small charge on overnight stays, led by mayors, could help fund better transport, support culture + green spaces, and boost our towns and cities that welcome millions each year.

Here’s why it matters 👇

IPPR North's @indiafhg.bsky.social reacts to the National Audit Office's report released today on Northern Powerhouse Rail:

How strong is county identity in England? 29% have a very strong attachment to their county, with identity strongest in Cornwall

💪Northern county identity is STRONG

YouGov's latest survey looked at English residents' attachments to their county. 7 of the strongest 10 counties were in the North.

Avg across England for 'very strong attachment' was 29%, in North it peaked at 44%!

yougov.com/en-gb/articl...

Improving regional growth and providing further investment into industry and vital infrastructure, unlocking potential in the North must be part of the answer. (3/3)

The conflict in the Middle East will raise concerns that household bills will be back on the rise and with unemployment rates in the North among the highest in the country, and set to increase this year, the government needs a clear plan to take action. (2/3)

Spring forecast: Reeves insists Labour has ‘right economic plan’ as 2026 growth downgraded Unemployment predicted to continue rising to 5.3% as chancellor says she is meeting energy firms amid soaring oil and gas prices

Stability is what the country needs, and it appears stability is what this Spring Statement has offered.

But people listening will be measuring their own financial stability... (1/3)
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

State of the North 2025 - The kids aren't alright: How to deliver for young people in the North | IPPR This is a pivotal moment for young people. The current generation of young people (Gen Z) has grown up in extremely challenging circumstances. Many are see

⬇️Shifting fiscal power down to mayors to decide arts and culture funding for their own regions is one way to redress historic underfunding for the region, so that talent can flourish no matter where it is based.

Read more here:
www.ippr.org/articles/the...

🧵The Brits in Manchester, the Mercury Prize in Newcastle, and Bradford the UK's City of Culture 2025 - the tide is moving.

🎭Yet IPPR North found a £450m gap between arts and culture spending in London compared to North, showing regional divides in opportunities for locals...

Manchester 1, London 0: The Brits highs and lows The Brits’ first appearance in Manchester turned out to be a triumph, with a winning bit of Manc edge

What a headline!

🎼The North has rich cultural heritage and dynamic creative industries that it is proud of. It's about time the rest of the country - nay the world - recognised that too.

www.standard.co.uk/culture/musi...

🚨 | NEW BLOG: Student loans have become one of the biggest political flashpoints of the year.

Our new blog breaks down the pros, cons and costs of the three main options, and who really gains from each.

Read here: www.ippr.org/articles/stu...

👥 Local democracy is about to change... 🗳️

Government’s plan to scrap district councils in favour of unitary authorities risks moving local residents further from power - unless action is taken to empower communities.

@ryanswift93.bsky.social explains why that matters...