A mayor writes
How can it be that the north and south of England are so unequal? In property prices, life expectancy and economic activity, London and the south outstrip the north on every measure. Successive governments have promised to close that gap but have so far failed. What can we do—and what is realistic?
Ben Houchen
The Northern Powerhouse is at risk of being defined by its detractors. For the publicity-hungry politician, there are column inches in playing up the north-south divide. They forget that it’s up to us, as northern leaders, to turn our fortunes around. Home to more than 15m people, 1m businesses, seven international airports and some of the world’s top universities, we should not passively accept the story of decline in the north.