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| Is there such a thing as the North? | Is there such a thing as the North? |
| (4 months later) | |
| Is there any such thing as the North? While it may seem an odd question for a northern think tank to ask, this was the topic of a public debate organised by IPPR North (the Institute for Public Policy Research North) this week in Newcastle. | Is there any such thing as the North? While it may seem an odd question for a northern think tank to ask, this was the topic of a public debate organised by IPPR North (the Institute for Public Policy Research North) this week in Newcastle. |
| The answer from the locals in the crowd was an emphatic yes. Two strands of debate emerged, one born of perception, the other of reality. | The answer from the locals in the crowd was an emphatic yes. Two strands of debate emerged, one born of perception, the other of reality. |
| That born of perception drew upon the way the north is perceived and discussed in our national conversation. Stereotypes abound, from straight talking folk with flat caps and whippets to loveable rogues that drink too much, don't wear sufficient clothing on nights out and go for a little bit too much fake tan. | That born of perception drew upon the way the north is perceived and discussed in our national conversation. Stereotypes abound, from straight talking folk with flat caps and whippets to loveable rogues that drink too much, don't wear sufficient clothing on nights out and go for a little bit too much fake tan. |
| But debate focused most keenly on the more tangible factors that make the north distinctive. On the one hand there is the overall poorer economic, educational and health outcomes and the battle to keep well trained graduates in the region and create good jobs for the large number of people out of work or economically inactive due to ill health. On the other hand there is the outstanding natural beauty, cultural assets and economic opportunities in new areas such as the offshore wind industry. | But debate focused most keenly on the more tangible factors that make the north distinctive. On the one hand there is the overall poorer economic, educational and health outcomes and the battle to keep well trained graduates in the region and create good jobs for the large number of people out of work or economically inactive due to ill health. On the other hand there is the outstanding natural beauty, cultural assets and economic opportunities in new areas such as the offshore wind industry. |
| The solution identified by most of those present was a need for a mature approach and to take on greater responsibility for decision-making about the north in the north. Despite this government's localising talk, there has been a centralisation of decision making in a number of areas, including innovation and inward investment. Perhaps more concerning still is that the national debate about the need for an industrial policy has, so far, failed to acknowledge that different parts of the country face different economic challenges and opportunities. | The solution identified by most of those present was a need for a mature approach and to take on greater responsibility for decision-making about the north in the north. Despite this government's localising talk, there has been a centralisation of decision making in a number of areas, including innovation and inward investment. Perhaps more concerning still is that the national debate about the need for an industrial policy has, so far, failed to acknowledge that different parts of the country face different economic challenges and opportunities. |
| There was, however, one strongly dissenting voice in the crowd, that of the Campaign for an English Parliament. They argued that England must stand unified and not be divided. Putting aside the question of whether or not the idea of an English Parliament is a good one (along with the debate about Northumbrian cultural identity that ensured) is it possible for England and the north of England to simultaneously co-exist? The answer must of course be yes. What is more, for England to be strong, it must draw on the strengths of all its constituent parts, not simply rely on one corner of the country – the Greater South East – to act as its economic and cultural powerhouse. | There was, however, one strongly dissenting voice in the crowd, that of the Campaign for an English Parliament. They argued that England must stand unified and not be divided. Putting aside the question of whether or not the idea of an English Parliament is a good one (along with the debate about Northumbrian cultural identity that ensured) is it possible for England and the north of England to simultaneously co-exist? The answer must of course be yes. What is more, for England to be strong, it must draw on the strengths of all its constituent parts, not simply rely on one corner of the country – the Greater South East – to act as its economic and cultural powerhouse. |
| This surely requires us to take a different approach in different places – identifying and building of the different economic assets of different places, something that cannot be done from Whitehall. And overcoming the long standing structural factors that have riven England economically will not be reversed easily or quickly. This is a job that needs to be done at a scale that coincides with the economic footprint of an area as defined by where people travel to work and learn. | This surely requires us to take a different approach in different places – identifying and building of the different economic assets of different places, something that cannot be done from Whitehall. And overcoming the long standing structural factors that have riven England economically will not be reversed easily or quickly. This is a job that needs to be done at a scale that coincides with the economic footprint of an area as defined by where people travel to work and learn. |
| As a result it falls to associations of local authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) - voluntary partnerships between local authorities and businesses at the city-regional level, tasked with coordinating economic development activity. But in many cases these fledgling organisations lack capacity and resource to do this effectively. If the Government is serious about rebalancing the economy these structures should be an essential building block, but they need a firmer foundation. | As a result it falls to associations of local authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) - voluntary partnerships between local authorities and businesses at the city-regional level, tasked with coordinating economic development activity. But in many cases these fledgling organisations lack capacity and resource to do this effectively. If the Government is serious about rebalancing the economy these structures should be an essential building block, but they need a firmer foundation. |
| There are many reasons why the perpetuation of our deeply unbalanced English economy must be redressed. A compelling one is that it is environmentally unsustainable to continue to rely on one corner of the country, not to mention detrimental for the quality of life of those that live there. Another is that we are wasting the undoubted potential of the north to growth economically and prosper for the good of the whole country. In this way England can find strength in its diversity. | There are many reasons why the perpetuation of our deeply unbalanced English economy must be redressed. A compelling one is that it is environmentally unsustainable to continue to rely on one corner of the country, not to mention detrimental for the quality of life of those that live there. Another is that we are wasting the undoubted potential of the north to growth economically and prosper for the good of the whole country. In this way England can find strength in its diversity. |
| Katie Schmuecker is Associate Director of IPPR North | Katie Schmuecker is Associate Director of IPPR North |
| This is the first part of a Guardian Northerner two-parter on the growing north-south divide. Read Ed Jacobs on a plan for the north here. | This is the first part of a Guardian Northerner two-parter on the growing north-south divide. Read Ed Jacobs on a plan for the north here. |
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