Northern Powerhouse ‘could end up like Big Society’
There is still considerable cynicism about the Northern Powerhouse concept being a mirage. We have two stories in Hinterland this week. This one brings a questioning approach to the concept. The article suggests:
The Northern Powerhouse is “a concept yet to catch fire” that could go the same way as the “Big Society” scheme, a leading politics professor has said.
The claim was made after a BBC-commissioned survey found two-thirds of respondents either had not heard of, or knew nothing about the powerhouse.
The Northern Powerhouse policy attempts to redress the north/south divide and attract investment to the north.
Some businesses said the plan is already helping win export contracts.
Professor Jon Tonge, from Liverpool University, said: “It is a concept yet to catch fire. I wonder if it will head the same way as the Big Society. Who remembers that?
“The problem is it is only a concept. It is also offset by huge cuts to the councils in the north.
“Even those who have heard of it are cynical. Those who haven’t heard of it think at most it’s the idea of a concept – where is the clear plan?”