At yesterday’s Great Exibition of the North #NPHSummit a member of the press asked me how the Northern Powerhouse is impacting the North East?
In my opinion the NPH, whilst being a good initiative in principle, is yet to have any real tangible impact to businesses across the region. I don’t want to be over critical as it’s very early days and I believe it should continue, not least as it reminds people the UK has massive opportunity beyond the south east.
However, progress needs to be faster and the time for talking and positioning is over. It now needs to be backed by serious “proportionate investment” to balance the north south divide, drive sustainable regional growth, and create prosperity for all.