Chambers of Commerce tell Osborne they are behind One North proposals

The organisations, which represent more than 12,000 businesses, said members are “very much behind” proposals for unlocking potential in industry through better regional links.

Osborne is expected use a growth programme that could add £56bn to the North’s economy as the centrepiece for his Autumn Statement on December 3.

The One North report launched earlier this year by local authorities in Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle, with support from Hull, Bradford, Wakefield and York.

It called on Government to invest £15bn over 15 years on a range of schemes, including a high-speed transpennine link that would slash journey times between Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester.

Chief executives of Chambers of Commerce in Hull and Humber, the North East, Liverpool & Sefton, Sheffield and West and North Yorkshire wrote to Osborne ahead of the statement to show support for the plans.

James Ramsbotham, chief executive at the North East Chamber of Commerce, said: “A united Northern Chambers network stands ready to work with local authorities and the Government to ensure this initiative delivers benefits across the North and meets businesses’ expectations.

“Infrastructure in the North has been under-developed for decades and addressing this is essential to achieve economic rebalancing and create the ‘northern powerhouse’ that Government has spoken of.”

“We urge progress to ensure the opportunity to deliver these investments is not missed,” he added.

Osborne has promised a “long term economic plan for the country” that involves plans for growth in the North. This will include new spending on transport and science, and changes in the way regions run their affairs.