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Exploring the future of the Northern Powerhouse

A conference seeking to get behind the rhetoric of the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ and examine the reality is to be held at the University of Salford.

The conference features senior public sector leaders from across Greater Manchester, exploring the economic, infrastructure and social consequences of the new policy towards the region, and indeed whether it is too Manchester-centric.

PSE will be attending the conference and is supporting it.

A spokesperson for the conference said: “The government hopes to create a unified economic area that makes the most of existing skills to attract new businesses. This strategy relies on better transport networks both within city regions and commuter areas and, crucially, across the north to the rest of the nation and internationally. The building of a ‘HS3’ cross-Pennine railway, plus the billion-pound investment in Manchester Airport’s expansion, are cornerstones of this transport plan.

“Real power is already being redistributed. Greater Manchester is to become the first English region to get full control of its healthcare budget (which stands at £6bn). The government hopes integrating health and social care services will ease pressure on hospitals and help to improve home care services for patients who need it. Furthermore, it was announced in June that Manchester is to get four super-hospitals in a major 'Healthier Together' overhaul of NHS services in the region.”

They added: “The Northern Powerhouse is an exciting process for Greater Manchester. It promises to create new jobs with an increase in investment and the promise of new powers. Despite these new initiatives, the criticisms levelled at the Greater Manchester-centric based Northern Powerhouse will need to be answered. The ‘Future of the Northern Powerhouse and Local Government Conference’, will address the aims and ambitions in this new phase of local government and give delegates an idea what the future holds for Manchester.”

The speakers at the conference are:   

Sir Howard Bernstein – Chief Executive of Manchester City Council

Ian Palmer – Head of Modelling and Research, Transport for Greater Manchester

Sir Richard Leese – Leader of Manchester City Council

Simon Mellor – Executive Director, Arts Council England and Project Director for Manchester’s: The Factory

Chris Fletcher - Policy & Marketing Director, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce

Dr Kieron Flanagan – Senior Lecturer in Science and Technology Policy, Manchester University Business School

Professor Helen Marshall – Vice-Chancellor, University of Salford

Find out more about the event, which takes place on 10 November at the University of Salford, here. PSE readers can get tickets at a reduced price of £200+VAT, but only by calling Jenni Jacobs on 0161 295 2096 and quoting: PSE245