🧵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...
02.03.2026 10:09 —
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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...
02.03.2026 10:09 —
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🚨 | 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...
02.03.2026 08:35 —
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👥 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...
19.02.2026 12:09 —
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👥 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...
19.02.2026 12:09 —
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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.
19.02.2026 08:50 —
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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...
19.02.2026 08:42 —
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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 ⤵️
11.02.2026 12:03 —
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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...
10.02.2026 09:48 —
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🏠 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👇
05.02.2026 15:07 —
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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.
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www.ippr.org/articles/rol...
04.02.2026 10:41 —
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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...
02.02.2026 14:07 —
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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
26.01.2026 09:19 —
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📊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👇👇
20.01.2026 16:02 —
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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
15.01.2026 13:35 —
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“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
14.01.2026 15:18 —
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🚄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👇👇
14.01.2026 09:39 —
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🏆🗺️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...
13.01.2026 12:31 —
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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...
13.01.2026 11:41 —
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Bradford nature reserve named 2026 'wonder of world' by magazine
The Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve makes the 2026 Condé Nast Traveller's list.
Of course, the North of England is host to one of the 'wonders of the world', no surprise here!
All the more reason to boost investment in transport across the North so that locals can benefit from the beauty of the region.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
09.01.2026 13:36 —
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⏳Just two more days to apply to one of the most exciting job openings of 2026! (so far, anyway...)
And do get in touch if you have any questions.
05.01.2026 08:46 —
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Associate Director, IPPR North | IPPR
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) is an independent charity working towards a fairer, greener, and more prosperous society.
📢 JOB ALERT! 📢
If you're a creative, analytical leader and thinker we want YOU.
IPPR North are looking for an Associate Director (fixed term) with BIG IDEAS for the future of our regions.
Office based in Manchester
Closing date: 7th Jan
www.ippr.org/jobs/associa...
19.12.2025 17:10 —
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