Housing and the Northern Powerhouse Edward Clarke February 2016

Cities matter to the UK economy Just…But…

And uniquely the UK’s big cities underperform

But over the last 10 years some have done better than others

The Northern Powerhouse

Cities have few local growth (or public service reform) incentives

Business Rates changes go some way

But need to go further for balance

Explains the ‘Devolution Revolution’

Now have a Cities & Local Government Devolution Act Enabling legislation that allows for expanded combined authorities and directly elected Mayors Will apply to all parts of England and Wales But nature of deals determined by cities and, crucially, George Osborne

Mayors will have housing powers

In the context of a housing crisis

Housing is more affordable in the North City Housing Affordability York9.6 Leeds7.1 Manchester6.9 Sheffield6.8 Newcastle6.6 Birkenhead6.6 Liverpool5.8 Sunderland5.7 Wigan5.5 Hull5.1

Housing not the priority everywhere Population growth (%) Skills levels (NVQ4+) 2014

Where are we going? Devolution (and economic performance) will be uneven, with different places moving at different speeds Greater city-region control should lead to better planning, transport, housing and economic development policy Increasing importance of tax base for the funding of places

Thanks for your time Edward