Embargoed until 7th March 2025 – You can download a PDF version here.
TRUE NORTH Policy & Research is proud to announce its launch in Newcastle on 7th March 2025.
TRUE NORTH is bringing together businesses, politicians from all parties and experts and influencers in key sectors of our society with one common aim – “to influence national and local government to adopt policies to improve economic and social outcomes in the TRUE NORTH.
The political and economic agendas for the north are often dominated by Manchester, Leeds and other larger urban areas in Yorkshire and Lancashire. Consequently, areas further north in the North East Combined Authority new mayoral region, the Tees Valley Mayoral region and Cumbria are often neglected. This area, the TRUE NORTH, has different challenges to the rest of the North, suffering from higher unemployment, poorer health and lower educational standards. Any government serious about levelling the national playing field should see the benefits that implementing policies to address these issue will bring to the whole country.
Going forward, TRUE NORTH key focus areas will be:-
Economic Growth – Tackling long term unemployment, increasing salaries for those in work and reducing the region’s dependance on welfare.
Health – improving health outcomes and increasing life expectancy.
Education & Skills – increasing standards and reducing the numbers of people with poor educational outcomes.
Social Mobility – increasing life chances and opportunities for ALL.
TRUE NORTH is a think tank of high quality insights, critical thinking, independent research and policy recommendations. TRUE NORTH will create, seek out and promote policies in these policy areas.
The launch event will bring together over 50 northern stakeholders focussing on ‘Turbo Charging the TRUE NORTH economy, and we are delighted to have in attendance guest speakers Lord Ben Houchen, Tees Valley Mayor, Rob Parsons, Editor of the Northern Agenda and Sarah Mulholland Deputy Chief Executive at the Northern Powerhouse Partnership.
The event will be followed by a roundtable event in Carlisle later in March.
John Stevenson, Chair of True North commented, “ I am delighted to be part of the new think tank True North. Whatever your politics you want the best for your area. The North East and Cumbria is often overlooked not just by the south but also parts of the North.
It is therefore important that there is discussion, debate and research into the opportunities which there are for our area. To improve the economic performance of our region would have transformational impact on everyone who lives and works in the area. We believe at True North that we can articulate policies which will be beneficial for the North East and Cumbria”
William Clouston, Leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) said “My party takes policy formulation at a national level very seriously and our policies are increasingly being adopted by larger parties as their own. Being involved in True North gives me the opportunity to contribute to the debate in the region which I call home. We need to do everything we can to encourage the re-industrialisation of the True North and give people decent jobs with which they can support a family”.
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In case of queries please contact Cath Homer on 07921124216.