Government ‘flying blind’ on regional growth without proper data, MPs warn - Committees - UK Parliament Today the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee have published the report, Flying Blind: Innovation, Growth and the Regions.  

Read the full report: committees.parliament.uk/committee/13...

As Henri said today:

“Alongside our Northern Growth envoy we do need a Minister to champion innovation in each region of the UK… and in the upcoming Northern Growth Strategy we need serious commitment to maximise commercialisation and innovation in the North.”

The Committee now recommends a minister to champion innovation in each region of the UK, ensuring regional opportunities are reflected in national investment decisions.

Kath also highlighted the role of innovation districts and science infrastructure in connecting universities, investors and businesses and why place-based ecosystems are essential for turning research strength into economic growth.

Their evidence focused on a core issue: the UK already has strong innovation clusters across the country but too often the infrastructure, connectivity and policy frameworks needed to scale them are missing.

Today’s Science & Innovation Committee report on Innovation, Growth and the Regions reflects evidence given last year by our CEO @henrimurison.bsky.social alongside Dr Kath Mackay of Bruntwood SciTech. @chionwurah.bsky.social 🧵

Why Rotherham's recovery is only just beginning: Chris Read Forty years ago, the site that is now Rotherham’s Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) was home to a very different story. In 1984, Orgreave was the scene of one of the most bitter and violent clashes of...

Off to the AMP this morning to see @henrimurison.bsky.social and Northern Powerhouse Partnership colleagues to talk about how far the Rotherham economy has come - and what’s next.

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion...

We are proud of what GM has achieved in the first decade of devolution.👇🏻

But we’ve had to fight for it and every scrap of investment.

Imagine what more the North could be if backed with the same investment in infrastructure as others parts of the UK! 🤔

Hidden Signs of Economic Hope for Britain Jim O'Neill sees important lessons in overlooked regional trends in house prices and productivity growth.

New from our Co-President Lord O’Neill:

Since 2004, Greater Manchester’s productivity has grown nearly 3x faster than London

Rotherham has seen biggest productivity rise in the North – driven by the AMRC

We need govt policy to match our ambition.

www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/h...

Henri Murison, Chief Executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership said: “Today’s Spending Review included a commitment by the Chancellor to deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail – a project promised by the last government but repeatedly part cancelled and delayed. This must mean a new line from Liverpool to Hull and on to the North East, including a new station and route through Bradford, upgrades and electrification between Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester, a new line from Manchester Airport to Piccadilly and across to Yorkshire, and the full reopening of the Leamside Line.”

Commenting on the wider review, he added: “The commitment to the Viking Carbon Capture and Storage project is vital to the future of the Humber’s industrial cluster. It is critical for protecting existing jobs – from oil refineries to renewable electricity generation – and for supporting the wider transition to net zero, including powering data centres and meeting the UK’s growing energy needs. “Single settlements for Metro Mayors, and funding to replace former EU funds, these are all welcome.” “We also welcome confirmation of major investments, including an £86 billion boost for science and innovation and £15.6 billion for regional transport infrastructure alongside financial commitment to affordable housing. To maximise their impact, innovation funding must be directed towards the North, where it can drive productivity and create high-quality jobs.”

The Chancellor’s Spending Review includes a long-overdue commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail – key to growth and connectivity in the North.

We also welcome investment in CCS, science, innovation and nuclear.

Full statement from @henrimurison.bsky.social👇

🚨 @henrimurison.bsky.social joins Times Radio with @cathynewman.bsky.social this evening to talk about what the upcoming Spending Review means for the North.

Catch him shortly at 5:30

Rachel Reeves must revive Northern Powerhouse rail plan - Osborne George Osborne urges Reeves to prioritise rail links between Liverpool and Manchester and universities.

“The pressure is on the current government to deliver.”

Ahead of next month's Spending Review, NPP President George Osborne tells BBC North West Tonight why Rachel Reeves must prioritise Northern Powerhouse Rail and backing for northern R&D.

Watch at 18:30 tonight.

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

@henrimurison.bsky.social spoke to BBC Look North this weekend about what business needs from this election:

Tonight, the Hull & East Yorkshire mayoral debate airs at 10:40pm on BBC One (East Yorkshire & Lincolnshire region).

What’s at stake?
The future of the Energy Estuary — and the leadership to deliver it.

“Whether we keep blast furnaces or move to electric arc furnaces, the government has to keep steel making in Scunthorpe,” @henrimurison.bsky.social from @np-partnership.bsky.social tells @bbc5live.bsky.social.

Been recovering after a great week, including down in #Bristol with @businesswest.bsky.social alongside @np-partnership.bsky.social Chair Lord Jim O’Neill & wider #GrowingTogether colleagues and on Friday in #Buxton discussing growth opportunities between #Sheffield and #Manchester

Chair of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, Lord Jim O’Neill, was featured on the front page of the Yorkshire Post at the weekend, highlighting why the Chancellor should not let recent challenges in the gilt markets affect plans for investment in the North

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politic...

Henri Murison, Chief Executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: “Growth in the Golden Triangle is necessary and important to the UK, and we need all the UK to thrive. High productivity places having been held back helps no one – including us in the North or in the Midlands.” In the North, closer working between mayoral authorities across both the Office for Investment and National Wealth Fund are to be welcomed. We have a huge opportunity to raise productivity long term across the Northern cities and their surrounding regions, and this is dependent on major infrastructure, completing Trans Pennine Route Upgrade and new lines as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail. The 10-year infrastructure strategy to secure this to be delivered by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), alongside the Green Book reform called for by Mayor Steve Rotherham, will come later this year. Heathrow is not our top priority – Manchester is the North’s national airport. However, as long as it is fully funded by private finance and isn’t a call on taxpayers we across the North want London to get what it needs. The real issue is historic Treasury decision making based on calculations that any growth in the UK is displaced from London if it happens anywhere else, and I refuse to play that game, because it simply isn’t true.”

The Northern Powerhouse Partnership responds to the Chancellor's growth speech this morning:
@henrimurison.bsky.social

‘A viable business’: Rolls-Royce banking on success of small modular reactors UK firm in vanguard of companies arguing SMRs are quicker and cheaper option than large Hinkley-sized nuclear plants

Britain has a chance to lead the world in Small Modular Reactor technology and Rolls-Royce SMR is at the forefront. Their Chair, Stephen Lovegrove, spoke to the Guardian about its potential to deliver clean, reliable nuclear energy for years to come: www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Humber region productivity rate growing faster than London and Manchester 'This region is set to continue to lead the way in delivering green jobs and sustainable growth'

Our analysis shows productivity growth in the Humber has been particularly impressive over the last decade. With new Metro Mayors to come, the region is set to lead in sustainable growth.

Read the full story in the Hull Daily Mail: www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-ea...

'Schools are wrongly judged on exams – there's a better way of helping parents' Northern Powerhouse advisor, Frank Norris MBE, wants to see a data system for schools that gives greater credit to those doing well in the face of some of the greatest challenges facing pupils today

Our index highlights why considering contextual factors makes for a fairer, more accurate judgement when judging school performance.

Frank Norris explains why this is so vital in his opinion piece, also in today's Mirror: www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...

Best schools based on bombshell new league table - is your child's on the list? For the Fairer Schools Index, researchers measured each school against additional factors such as pupil demographics, ethnicity, and deprivation, alongside existing performance-based metrics

Today we are launching the full details of our Fairer Schools Index exclusively in the Daily Mirror. Together, we highlight the schools beating the odds to make the biggest difference for pupils.

Watch the explainer video here & full report here: mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...

Her speech was introduced by the
@mayorofwy.bsky.social , who said “we are proving that devolution works” and that “Mayors everywhere are making a huge difference.”

In her remarks, she says the white paper represents the Government “taking another step towards relighting the great fire in our English regions”.

The Deputy Prime Minister also says that “devolution will no longer be agreed at the whim of a minister in Whitehall.”

📍We’re in Leeds today, where Angela Rayner is launching the Government’s devolution white paper.