IPPR North

Improving regional growth and providing further investment into industry and vital infrastructure, unlocking potential in the North must be part of the answer. (3/3)

The conflict in the Middle East will raise concerns that household bills will be back on the rise and with unemployment rates in the North among the highest in the country, and set to increase this year, the government needs a clear plan to take action. (2/3)

Spring forecast: Reeves insists Labour has ‘right economic plan’ as 2026 growth downgraded Unemployment predicted to continue rising to 5.3% as chancellor says she is meeting energy firms amid soaring oil and gas prices

Stability is what the country needs, and it appears stability is what this Spring Statement has offered.

But people listening will be measuring their own financial stability... (1/3)
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

State of the North 2025 - The kids aren't alright: How to deliver for young people in the North | IPPR This is a pivotal moment for young people. The current generation of young people (Gen Z) has grown up in extremely challenging circumstances. Many are see

⬇️Shifting fiscal power down to mayors to decide arts and culture funding for their own regions is one way to redress historic underfunding for the region, so that talent can flourish no matter where it is based.

Read more here:
www.ippr.org/articles/the...

🧵The Brits in Manchester, the Mercury Prize in Newcastle, and Bradford the UK's City of Culture 2025 - the tide is moving.

🎭Yet IPPR North found a £450m gap between arts and culture spending in London compared to North, showing regional divides in opportunities for locals...

Manchester 1, London 0: The Brits highs and lows The Brits’ first appearance in Manchester turned out to be a triumph, with a winning bit of Manc edge

What a headline!

🎼The North has rich cultural heritage and dynamic creative industries that it is proud of. It's about time the rest of the country - nay the world - recognised that too.

www.standard.co.uk/culture/musi...

🚨 | NEW BLOG: Student loans have become one of the biggest political flashpoints of the year.

Our new blog breaks down the pros, cons and costs of the three main options, and who really gains from each.

Read here: www.ippr.org/articles/stu...

👥 Local democracy is about to change... 🗳️

Government’s plan to scrap district councils in favour of unitary authorities risks moving local residents further from power - unless action is taken to empower communities.

@ryanswift93.bsky.social explains why that matters...

👥 Local democracy is about to change... 🗳️

Government’s plan to scrap district councils in favour of unitary authorities risks moving local residents further from power - unless action is taken to empower communities.

@ryanswift93.bsky.social explains why that matters...

'Unitarisation risks weakening local democracy unless communities are put in the driving seat' - LabourList Nearly 30% of England faces local government overhaul. Without safeguards, unitarisation could cut councillors, weaken accountability and distance communities from power.

Great to write in @labourlist.bsky.social today about our latest @ipprnorth.bsky.social report and how local government reorganisation must result in local democracy renewal.

labourlist.org/2026/02/unit...

We cannot afford for devolution not to work. If government want to make devolution its flagship programme, they must put communities in the driving seat, the future of democracy depends on it.

📋Read the full report here: www.ippr.org/articles/mak...

NEW @ipprnorth.bsky.social REPORT

Nearly 30% of England is about to see the biggest shake-up in local government for a generation.

Unitarisation is coming and it will fundamentally reshape how millions are represented.

Making the most of it: Unitarisation, hyperlocal democratic renewal and community empowerment | IPPR This report looks at the democratic implications of the government’s agenda for local government unitarisation under the English devolution and community e

👥NEW REPORT: Local government reorganisation is once-in-a-generation opportunity - if done well. Government and local authorities should take action to use the process to revive democracy in local communities and shift power downwards👇

Read the full report here:

www.ippr.org/articles/mak...

Update on May 2026 local authority elections We have today issued the below statement for immediate use on the local authority elections taking place in May 2026. An MHCLG spokesperson said: “Following legal advice, the Government has withdrawn ...

I think it's right that the May local elections will be going ahead, even in areas undergoing local government reorganisation. Democracy cannot be a matter of convenience or cost.

mhclgmedia.blog.gov.uk/2026/02/16/u...

For months, we have been digging into a big myth — that strong social protection holds back economic growth.🔍

Spoiler: it doesn’t.💪

We launch our findings tomorrow in our report 'More than a Safety Net'. Stay tuned.🚀

For now, hear it from @stephenboydippr.bsky.social ⤵️

England’s poorest areas have 70% more vape shops and bookmakers than wealthier ones Data shows deprived communities have more off-licences and takeaways and fewer childcare facilities and gyms

🏘️"Neighbourhood precincts are often people’s go to spaces... it’s right they are taken as seriously as high streets. We need physical spaces to come together, to regain a lost sense of community."

@zoebillingham.bsky.social spoke to The Guardian👇👇

www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

The Great North mayors and leaders call on Government to base future UK Olympic bid in the North The North of England could play host to the Olympic and Paralympic Games for the first time in history, as Northern Mayors and Leaders today set out a clear ...

🥇 NORTH OF ENGLAND 2040 🥇

Hosting the Olympics in the North would be a GAME CHANGER for the region. Bringing a boost to investment, job opportunities, and the visitor economy; people would feel its impact in the years to come and the decades following.

thegreatnorth.org.uk/news/the-gre...

North of England 2040? Andy Burnham backs plan for multi-city Olympics bid Northern leaders urge government to support proposal as Manchester mayor says a London bid ‘wouldn’t be right’

North of England 2040 - we like the sound of that!

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

Rachel Reeves changes to Treasury rules to boost infrastructure projects in the North Rachel Reeves has announced major changes to Treasury rules around infrastructure project spending, which the Government says will address “historic underinvestment” in the North and other parts of th...

📗We welcome the Chancellor's efforts in shifting Treasury orthodoxy so that projects in the North can get fair shots.

Yet, this is the 3rd change to the Green Book in as many years, the fact it's taking so long shows the depth of this culture in Westminster.

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politic...

🏠 How do we fix the housing crisis? 🔧

🏗️Government says it’ll build 1.5m homes this parliament.

But IPPR North research shows housing challenges differ across regions. We need a place‑led approach, not just more supply.

@indiafhg.bsky.social explains why👇

The role of The Great North in delivering pan-northern investment | IPPR The UK’s economic success relies on northern growth. The Great North represents an economy of 16 million people and an economy larger than many European co

💪 A strong North stands together.

📰In our paper released today, IPPR North says The Great North partnership and government should act collaboratively to establish the north as a great place to invest and ultimately help raise living standards.

👇👇
www.ippr.org/articles/rol...

Nigel Farage wants to cut price of beer by reinstating two-child benefit cap Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has pledged to reinstate the two-child limit on benefits to pay for a 5p cut off pints of beer to boost pubs.

Reform’s plans to push half a million children into poverty to fund a suite of hospitality tax cuts are indefensible.

✒️ @henryippr.bsky.social spoke to the @bigissue.com 👇

www.bigissue.com/news/politic...

The northern cities fighting back against Britain's 'brain drain' as thousands flee to south GB News investigates why areas of the North struggle to stop top talent from flocking to London

🔥IPPR North's @zoebillingham.bsky.social on the perceived 'brain drain' from the North to the South:

"There is no need for London as the capital city to be the capital of everything and we’d all be better off for it."

www.gbnews.com/news/brain-d...

Leamside Line agreement between Gateshead and County Durham signed The Leamside Line's reopening is set to progress as part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail initiative.

The North East is a very transient place, we're always hopping over bridges and boundaries. Very welcome transport news to ensure better connectivity for everyone around the region - which is crucial for regional growth
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

@heidialexander.bsky.social and Kim McGuiness

📊ONS employment figures for the North East released today paint a stark image of the region - but they don't tell the whole story.

@indiafhg.bsky.social, Newcastle-based researcher at IPPR North explains why👇👇

Great to see IPPR North research on disparities in transport spending on the North, London, and the rest of the country showcased on @itvpeston.bsky.social last night.

The difference in spending truly is stark.

Read the full report here: lnkd.in/etg4w27f

“Even if the productivity growth [of the North] was brought up to the average of the UK, an extra £40billion would be brought into the UK each year… this will more than pay for itself”

🎙️ @zoebillingham.bsky.social on @lbc.co.uk this morning, talking all things Northern Powerhouse Rail

🚄A big day for Northern Powerhouse Rail and for the North as the government sets out its commitment to delivering a major infrastructure boost to the region.

Director of IPPR North @zoebillingham.bsky.social reacts👇👇

🏆🗺️The North is home to 3/10 of the "best of the best" places to visit in the UK, say Tripadvisor.

Now mayoral combined authorities have the power to implement visitor levies, local people can finally benefit directly from this rise in tourism

Next year, all 10!

tripadvisor.co.uk/TravelersCho...

Reform UK 'collides with reality' over council tax rises Reform UK will increase council tax in several councils it controls – despite previously pledging to “cut waste and reduce your taxes”.

"Unless [Reform] wanted to strip services away from some of the most vulnerable people in the country – and low and modest earners too – this was always the reality."

@zoebillingham.bsky.social on Reform councils raising taxes against pledges, for @bigissue.com👇

www.bigissue.com/news/politic...