The manifesto of the All Party Parliamentary Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Group – Devolution for Prosperity – was launched in the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday 10th February. Connect has been proud to provide the secretariat to the group for over two years, and we’re delighted to have supported the group to produce and launch the manifesto.
The launch was well attended by MPs, Peers and Councillors from across the region, along with LEP board members, business representatives and other stakeholders, attracting coverage in the Yorkshire Post. It includes contributions from each of the four LEPs in the region and the group’s sponsors, Associated British Ports, Stagecoach, Infrastructure North, Local Government Yorkshire and Humber (LGYH) as well as the Yorkshire Association of Colleges.
The manifesto was welcomed by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Kris Hopkins MP, who told attendees that a united vision is needed to create economic success in Yorkshire. The launch was also supported by the Shadow Communities and Local Government Minister, Andy Sawford MP.
Among 29 key policy ‘asks’, the manifesto argues that devolution to the region should:
- Benefit all areas of Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire not just the large city regions
- Make politics for the public, business and wider stakeholders – more straightforward not more complicated
- Serve a purpose – to enhance prosperity and improve quality of life for all
- Involve new powers and funding for transport, skills and support for business
- Give greater local financial control and freedom
The manifesto builds on the strong work that the APPG, with Connect’s support, has done over the past two and a half years as the only APPG serving a region in England. The group has influenced both the Government and Opposition frontbenches to understand better the needs of Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire, as well as the north of England in general.
For more information about the APPG on Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire please get in touch via s.barwick@connectpa.co.uk.
Connect has significant experience in providing support for APPGs, and provides the secretariat function for the groups on Water, Youth Affairs, Apprenticeships and Yorkshire and Humber. In addition to managing all logistical elements of the groups, we also work with parliamentarians and support our client to run inquiries, hold innovative events and identify new sponsorship opportunities. If you have an idea for an APPG that you would like to discuss, please contact David Button on d.button@connectpa.co.uk or 020 7592 9592.