Is the North getting a fair deal?

Over future sessions, the inquiry will be looking at investment and growth region-by-region across the UK. 

Five years on from the establishment of the Northern Powerhouse, the evidence session on Wednesday will be looking at how businesses attract finance and investment, the role of EU structural funds in supporting regional growth, and the likely effectiveness of new Government measures, such as the Stronger Towns Fund and Shared Prosperity Fund, in providing support for growth in the north.

Chair's comments

Rachel Reeves MP, Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, said:

“Five years on from establishing the Northern Powerhouse, the time is right to carry out a health-check on the Government's efforts to attract finance and investment to the north. The Government's Industrial Strategy needs to go beyond big ideas and help turbocharge productivity and growth throughout the UK. The Power Up the North campaign has shone a light on the urgency of addressing the north-south divide and the need to get on with the policies and actions to truly capitalise on the talents of the people across the north.

In our inquiry kicking off on Wednesday, we want to hold the Government's feet to the fire on what they are doing to help business investment in all parts of the UK.  What happens when the EU structural funds dry up? Will the Government make good on their commitment to investing throughout the UK? As a Committee, we will be examining in this inquiry the effectiveness of the Government's policies on business investment and how far they are going to help drive the gains in productivity and growth we need to see throughout the country.”

Witnesses

At 10am

Wednesday 3rd July, Committee Room 5, Palace of Westminster 

• Dr Henri Murison, Director, Northern Powerhouse Partnership
• Jo Lappin, Chief Executive, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership
• James Farrar, Chief Operating Officer, York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership

Written evidence - published this morning 

The BEIS Committee has published the written evidence submissions for the Supporting regional investment and growth inquiry, covering a range of issues relating to attracting investment and growth in all parts of the UK, beyond areas of heavy investment such as London and the South East.

The 46 published submissions have been received from a range of witnesses, including the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, Institute of Directors, Centre for Cities, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Policy Connect, and the Productivity Insights Network.

Full list attached (with links to submissions online). 

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

Image: PA