Osborne launches new Powerhouse vision from Burnley

Mr Osborne, chairman of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, spoke at VEKA plc alongside Northern Powerhouse Minister, Rossendale Conservative MP Jake Berry.

The event was organised for the Partnership to launch its latest report, Powerhouse 2050: The North’s Routemap for Productivity.

Mr Osborne believes this is now a critical time for the north of England.

He said: “In Burnley, we launched an ambitious and visionary report.

“Produced after detailed consultation with more than 500 businesses of all sizes, universities and a wide range of other interest groups, the report addresses the critical issue of how productivity can be increased and what bold, innovative measures can be put in place to create jobs and encourage inward investment.

“It is an economic plan devised in the north, by the north and for the north.”

Ahead of the Autumn Budget, the report provides a plan for what the Government can do to raise productivity in the north – the key to raising living standards and prosperity.

Mr Osborne said the vision needed the full support and backing of Northern businesses and civic leaders to make it a reality.

He added: “My commitment to this vision is as firm now as it was when I was in government. There are areas of outstanding expertise in the north, unparalleled in the rest of the UK and rivalling the best cities and centres in the world.

“Last month we launched our first campaign for the government to commit to Northern Powerhouse Rail – the transformational scheme to reduce journey times and increase services east-west across the North of England, linking up our cities.”