Political leaders from across the North of England have written to prime minister Theresa May urging her government to renew its commitment to investment in the region.
Council leaders, elected mayors and local enterprise partnership chairs have signed a letter calling for HS2 to reach the North as soon as possible, greater control of skills funding and training and further investment in research and culture.
The letter highlights the successful co-operation across the North in developing transport initiatives and a shared economic narrative through the Northern Independent Economic Review, published in January.
It comes after Andy Burnham, who is campaigning to be Greater Manchester’s Labour mayoral candidate, mooted the possibility of creating a “cabinet of the North”, formed of the new northern metropolitan mayors.
Lead signatories of the letter are Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, and Lord Chris Haskins, chair of Humber LEP.
“We hope you will commit your government to continue to work with us and to provide the investment, subject of course to the strategic investment case being made, to make sure the North can achieve its economic, social and environmental potential,” the letter states.
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