Ben Houchen joins Northern mayors to create investment group

‘The Great North’ – a partnership bringing political leaders together to ‘unlock the North’s economic potential’ in areas such as energy, defence and advanced manufacturing and creative industries, was announced today.

Kim McGuinness, North East mayor and the group’s chair, says it will look to create jobs. She said: “The time has come for a resurgent north to unite and proudly lead the way to a fairer more prosperous UK, and The Great North is our vehicle for change.

“This country needs a northern story written by northern minds, not one handed to us by Whitehall, and this Great North partnership puts us on track to write it. 

“The opportunity is immense and we are ready to work with anyone who is equally determined to create good jobs.”

Its name is based on the branding of the Great North Run, a global export from the region.

(Image: PR)

City of Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy hailed the plan a ‘fantastic opportunity’.

“The exciting news is that this isn’t being driven by politicians sat in Westminster – these are our mayors, with their devolved powers, fighting for the area where they live and represent,” she said.

“For too long here in the North East, and across the North in general, we have been told what various Governments are going to do to our region, but this is the first time we have had directly elected representatives from each area coming together, and driving the change we need to see locally.”

But critics questioned if it will result in any meaningful change, warning funding cannot be concentrated to Manchester alone.

Former leader of Durham County Council, Lib Dem Cllr Amanda Hopgood, said: “While I welcome and encourage collaborative working that would benefit the North and its residents as usual the proof will be in what actually gets delivered.

“I hope when they are looking at investment for the North the whole of the North is taken into account and investment doesn’t just stop, as has happened in the past, at the M62.”

The group includes Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen, the only Conservative mayor in the country since local elections in 2024. However, Lord Houchen is positive that change can be made, despite political differences.

“Despite being of different political parties we have a track record of delivery and joining forces to bang the drum for the north will help drive even more global investment to our region,” he said.

“For too long the north has played second fiddle to London but this is changing, and now we want to go further. 

“The Great North is a great brand and now we need to make sure it’s not just a logo but something that brings investment and jobs for the people of Teesside, Darlington, and Hartlepool.” 

A new report launched at the unveiling event revealed the North could add £118 billion to UK PLC with the right investments.

It’s something Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor MP Alan Strickland – whose constituency incorporates a large Hitachi plant – was keen to emphasise.

“I welcome the launch of this important partnership across the North that will result in more jobs, investment and opportunities,” Mr Strickland said.

And Stockton North MP Chris McDonald said the partnership “can bring together strengths across the region, such as combining sustainable aviation fuel in Stockton North with aviation in Manchester, or life sciences in Billingham with drug discovery in Liverpool.  

“This helps us demonstrate to Westminster the benefits of investing in transport and infrastructure in our region and creates a bigger target for overseas investors to hit, when looking for somewhere to locate a new factory, office, or research centre.  

“To make this work though we need much stronger transport connections across the North, so we can travel for work, to learn and for leisure as easy in the North as the South of England.”

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“It’s really good to see our regional mayors working together to deliver for our communities. I’m looking forward to working closely with them to improve the lives of residents in my area.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner said the government ‘shares the group’s ambitions’, adding:  “We are taking action to shift power out of Whitehall and into our communities, giving local leaders the tools they need to realise their areas’ potential. 

“Initiatives like The Great North are critical to this – putting directly elected Mayors front and centre of exciting plans for regional collaboration, in the places they know better than anyone else, building stronger and happier communities in the process.”