Northern mayors and political leaders have written to Chancellor John Healey setting out their priorities for tomorrow's fiscal event.
The cross-party letter, signed by the region's eight mayors plus council leaders from Lancashire, Cheshire and Cumbria, calls for measures to help Northern companies trade overseas, for fiscal devolution to give local leaders powers and funding, and for support for major sporting and cultural events.
Olympic feasibility and trade mission
The request for event support appears set to be granted, with £7m expected to be announced to fund a full feasibility study into whether the North could host the Olympics in the 2040s. The letter also calls for Government co-operation to help Northern businesses access international markets following a recent Great North trade mission to India.
With Mr Healey widely expected to continue his predecessor Rachel Reeves' commitment to fiscal devolution, the mayors say that "the package must incentivise growth locally, ensuring that areas directly benefit from the growth they enable."
Letter calls for local growth benefits
The letter states: "Communities should more clearly see the local benefits of regional growth. This must be more than a different way of distributing existing funding. It should enable Northern leaders to back long-term investment, support businesses to grow and use the proceeds to achieve more for our people and places.
"The North's regions have different needs, strengths and priorities. The choices that best support a rural economy may differ from those needed in a large city or a coastal region. Different democratic mandates will also lead to different approaches. A successful settlement must allow for that."
The letter also highlights the importance of Northern Powerhouse Rail and strategic infrastructure investment in connecting places, supporting businesses and unlocking growth.
Signatories and next steps
It is signed by mayors Kim McGuinness, Bev Craig, Tracy Brabin, Oliver Coppard, Luke Campbell, Lord Ben Houchen, David Skaith and Steve Rotheram, plus council leaders Stephen Atkinson, Mark Fryer and Louise Gittins.
The letter adds: "Through The Great North, we are working together to attract investment, support our businesses and give our regions a stronger voice. Across political parties and different places, we share a determination to see the North succeed and to ensure that success improves people's lives.
"This Budget is an opportunity to build on that work. We want you to back Northern mayors and leaders to the hilt – with the support and freedom to turn our shared ambition into results."
