Northern powerhouse plan prompts fears smaller cities will miss out
by Katie Allen from on (#961C)
The chancellor's focus on Manchester and other large urban areas has raised concern that benefits of the scheme will be unevenly spread across the region
When George Osborne picked Manchester to make his big post-election "northern powerhouse" pitch, it came as little surprise. The city has been the poster child for devolution. But the focus on Manchester and other big cities has sparked fears in smaller towns that they will get left behind in this latest push to rebalance Britain's badly divided economy.
The thinktank IPPR North is quick to sum up those concerns. "Now we need to see this agenda move beyond core cities. Smaller towns and cities are a crucial part of the northern powerhouse and can help drive the region's growth, providing they share in the benefits of new powers and prosperity," says Ed Cox, the thinktank's director.
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