You can read the original article by Gavin Engelbrecht in the Hexham Courant here.
A new think tank aimed at boosting the economy and social outcomes of the North East and Cumbria has announced its launch.
True North Policy & Research will be officially unveiled today (Friday, March 7) in Newcastle.
The organisation aims to unite businesses, politicians from all parties, and experts to ‘influence national and local government to adopt policies to improve economic and social outcomes in the True North’.
The think tank is being created to focus on issues ‘often overlooked’ in northern regions such as North East Combined Authority, the Tees Valley, and Cumbria.
These areas, according to True North, face distinct challenges, including higher unemployment, poorer health, and lower educational standards.
Going forward, the organisation will primarily focus on economic growth, health, education and skills, and social mobility.
They aim to tackle long-term unemployment, increase salaries, improve health outcomes and life expectancy, raise educational standards, and boost opportunities for all.
True North says it is committed to providing ‘high-quality insights, critical thinking, independent research, and policy recommendations’ in these areas.
The launch event, attended by more than 50 stakeholders, will focus on ‘turbo Charging the True North economy’.
Guest speakers include Tees Valley Mayor Lord Ben Houchen, editor of the Northern Agenda Rob Parsons, and deputy chief executive at the Northern Powerhouse Partnership Sarah Mulholland.
John Stevenson, chair of True North, said: “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 are 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 a 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.”
SDP leader William Clouston 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.”
True North plans to host a roundtable event in Carlisle later in March, continuing their commitment to fostering dialogue and generating solutions for the northern regions.