How the joining of our northern cities would create a true Powerhouse

The Northern Powerhouse is Chancellor George Osborne’s initiative to turn that rhetoric into reality.

He first coined the phrase in a 2014 speech in Manchester where he discussed the role of big cities in the global economy and suggested that while individually northern cities might struggle to compete, it would be different if they could join forces.

He said: “The cities of the north are individually strong, but collectively not strong enough. The whole is less than the sum of its parts.

“So the powerhouse of London dominates more and more. And that’s not healthy for our economy. It’s not good for our country.

“We need a Northern Powerhouse too.

“Not one city, but a collection of northern cities - sufficiently close to each other that combined they can take on the world.

“Able to provide jobs and opportunities and security to the many, many people who live here, and for whom this is all about.

“You know, if you brought together the best players from each of the Premiership teams in the north, you’d have a team that would wipe the floor with any competition.

“We need to bring the cities of the north together as a team – that’s how Britain will beat the rest.”

Improving transport links is one of the key elements but better connections in science and culture are also being pursued as part of the Northern Powerhouse idea.

The Chancellor has argued more local-decision making will help the northern economy and struck a series of deals with groups of local authorities to give them more powers in areas such as transport, planning and skills in return for the creation of elected mayors.