🚎🚊Inter-connectivity for our public transport isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. 🛤️Rural areas across the North and the UK deserve reliable, common-sense transport networks that get people where they need to be. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Today is the deadline for entries to the UK Town of Culture competition! It's great to see so many northern towns put themselves forward; the north is a region rich with contributions to the UK's music, arts, and theatre scenes. www.gov.uk/government/n...

Celebrating Big Local – the movement communities made 🎉 For 15 years, 150 communities across England led change in their areas. As the programme closes, we’re celebrating the people, stories, and legacy of what’s possible with time, trust, and resources. Explore it all here: https://bit.ly/4m4GqS2

Big news from MHCLG on the latest in local government reorganisation! IPPR North's @ryanswift93.bsky.social reacts to the announcement today 👇

🚨💷 The £1.7bn to boost the North's industrial strategy is a huge win for the region, and the nation. IPPR North have long championed the link between deeper devolution and the country's industrial strengths👇👇 www.ippr.org/articles/reg...

🤩Blackpool, Sheffield, and Middlesborough have all been shortlisted for the UK City of Culture 2029! Will we be able to hoard the esteemed title in the North? We certainly hope so. Best of luck to all those involved with their bids. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

📈🗝️Regional growth, particularly in the North, is key to a thriving economy. Prosperity in the North means prosperity for the UK. Mirte Boot, Interim Head of IPPR North reacts to the Chancellor's annual Mais Lecture today👇

1/ Said this in our transport report, and good to see it in Reeves’ Mais Lecture. Plans for fiscal devolution, including a share of income tax, are overdue. It stifles growth that mayors take on the risk to deliver projects, while central government captures the upside through rising tax receipts.

🏨A visitor levy could be a game‑changer for the North, as it has been across Europe. 🪙A small charge on overnight stays, led by mayors, could help fund better transport, support culture + green spaces, and boost our towns and cities that welcome millions each year. Here’s why it matters 👇

IPPR North's @indiafhg.bsky.social reacts to the National Audit Office's report released today on Northern Powerhouse Rail:

💪Northern county identity is STRONG YouGov's latest survey looked at English residents' attachments to their county. 7 of the strongest 10 counties were in the North. Avg across England for 'very strong attachment' was 29%, in North it peaked at 44%! yougov.com/en-gb/articl...

Stability is what the country needs, and it appears stability is what this Spring Statement has offered. But people listening will be measuring their own financial stability... (1/3) www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

What a headline! 🎼The North has rich cultural heritage and dynamic creative industries that it is proud of. It's about time the rest of the country - nay the world - recognised that too. www.standard.co.uk/culture/musi...

🚨 | NEW BLOG: Student loans have become one of the biggest political flashpoints of the year. Our new blog breaks down the pros, cons and costs of the three main options, and who really gains from each. Read here: www.ippr.org/articles/stu...

👥 Local democracy is about to change... 🗳️ Government’s plan to scrap district councils in favour of unitary authorities risks moving local residents further from power - unless action is taken to empower communities. @ryanswift93.bsky.social explains why that matters...

👥 Local democracy is about to change... 🗳️ Government’s plan to scrap district councils in favour of unitary authorities risks moving local residents further from power - unless action is taken to empower communities. @ryanswift93.bsky.social explains why that matters...

Great to write in @labourlist.bsky.social today about our latest @ipprnorth.bsky.social report and how local government reorganisation must result in local democracy renewal. labourlist.org/2026/02/unit...

We cannot afford for devolution not to work. If government want to make devolution its flagship programme, they must put communities in the driving seat, the future of democracy depends on it. 📋Read the full report here: www.ippr.org/articles/mak...

NEW @ipprnorth.bsky.social REPORT Nearly 30% of England is about to see the biggest shake-up in local government for a generation. Unitarisation is coming and it will fundamentally reshape how millions are represented.

👥NEW REPORT: Local government reorganisation is once-in-a-generation opportunity - if done well. Government and local authorities should take action to use the process to revive democracy in local communities and shift power downwards👇 Read the full report here: www.ippr.org/articles/mak...

I think it's right that the May local elections will be going ahead, even in areas undergoing local government reorganisation. Democracy cannot be a matter of convenience or cost. mhclgmedia.blog.gov.uk/2026/02/16/u...

For months, we have been digging into a big myth — that strong social protection holds back economic growth.🔍 Spoiler: it doesn’t.💪 We launch our findings tomorrow in our report 'More than a Safety Net'. Stay tuned.🚀 For now, hear it from @stephenboydippr.bsky.social ⤵️

🏘️"Neighbourhood precincts are often people’s go to spaces... it’s right they are taken as seriously as high streets. We need physical spaces to come together, to regain a lost sense of community." @zoebillingham.bsky.social spoke to The Guardian👇👇 www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

🥇 NORTH OF ENGLAND 2040 🥇 Hosting the Olympics in the North would be a GAME CHANGER for the region. Bringing a boost to investment, job opportunities, and the visitor economy; people would feel its impact in the years to come and the decades following. thegreatnorth.org.uk/news/the-gre...

North of England 2040 - we like the sound of that! www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

📗We welcome the Chancellor's efforts in shifting Treasury orthodoxy so that projects in the North can get fair shots. Yet, this is the 3rd change to the Green Book in as many years, the fact it's taking so long shows the depth of this culture in Westminster. www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politic...

🏠 How do we fix the housing crisis? 🔧 🏗️Government says it’ll build 1.5m homes this parliament. But IPPR North research shows housing challenges differ across regions. We need a place‑led approach, not just more supply. @indiafhg.bsky.social explains why👇

💪 A strong North stands together. 📰In our paper released today, IPPR North says The Great North partnership and government should act collaboratively to establish the north as a great place to invest and ultimately help raise living standards. 👇👇 www.ippr.org/articles/rol...

Reform’s plans to push half a million children into poverty to fund a suite of hospitality tax cuts are indefensible. ✒️ @henryippr.bsky.social spoke to the @bigissue.com 👇 www.bigissue.com/news/politic...

🔥IPPR North's @zoebillingham.bsky.social on the perceived 'brain drain' from the North to the South: "There is no need for London as the capital city to be the capital of everything and we’d all be better off for it." www.gbnews.com/news/brain-d...

The North East is a very transient place, we're always hopping over bridges and boundaries. Very welcome transport news to ensure better connectivity for everyone around the region - which is crucial for regional growth www.bbc.co.uk/news/article... @heidialexander.bsky.social and Kim McGuiness

📊ONS employment figures for the North East released today paint a stark image of the region - but they don't tell the whole story. @indiafhg.bsky.social, Newcastle-based researcher at IPPR North explains why👇👇

Great to see IPPR North research on disparities in transport spending on the North, London, and the rest of the country showcased on @itvpeston.bsky.social last night. The difference in spending truly is stark. Read the full report here: lnkd.in/etg4w27f

“Even if the productivity growth [of the North] was brought up to the average of the UK, an extra £40billion would be brought into the UK each year… this will more than pay for itself” 🎙️ @zoebillingham.bsky.social on @lbc.co.uk this morning, talking all things Northern Powerhouse Rail

🚄A big day for Northern Powerhouse Rail and for the North as the government sets out its commitment to delivering a major infrastructure boost to the region. Director of IPPR North @zoebillingham.bsky.social reacts👇👇

🏆🗺️The North is home to 3/10 of the "best of the best" places to visit in the UK, say Tripadvisor. Now mayoral combined authorities have the power to implement visitor levies, local people can finally benefit directly from this rise in tourism Next year, all 10! tripadvisor.co.uk/TravelersCho...

"Unless [Reform] wanted to strip services away from some of the most vulnerable people in the country – and low and modest earners too – this was always the reality." @zoebillingham.bsky.social on Reform councils raising taxes against pledges, for @bigissue.com👇 www.bigissue.com/news/politic...

Of course, the North of England is host to one of the 'wonders of the world', no surprise here! All the more reason to boost investment in transport across the North so that locals can benefit from the beauty of the region. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

⏳Just two more days to apply to one of the most exciting job openings of 2026! (so far, anyway...) And do get in touch if you have any questions.

📢 JOB ALERT! 📢 If you're a creative, analytical leader and thinker we want YOU. IPPR North are looking for an Associate Director (fixed term) with BIG IDEAS for the future of our regions. Office based in Manchester Closing date: 7th Jan www.ippr.org/jobs/associa...

Did you know that Leeds is the largest city in western Europe without a mass transit system? The Leeds tram is a great example of intra-regional transport that's critical for connecting communities in the North. But our communities cannot wait any longer... 👇👇 www.reuters.com/world/uk/tra...

📰The Social Mobility Commission’s state of the nation report is out. At IPPR North we're not surprised at its findings. The government must address these disadvantages so the next generations can break out of the doom-loop of regional inequality. 👇👇 www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

New year, new start? Great new job @ipprnorth.bsky.social will be posted this week👀

✅ FACT: Scrapping the two child limit on benefits lifts hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. IPPR North’s @zoebillingham.bsky.social appeared on BBC Politics North West and debunked a common misconception about who the two child benefit limit impacted the most 👇👇👇

📈 This morning, our Director @zoebillingham.bsky.social presented to The Great North Board on securing pan northern investment. ⚽And the brand new Everton stadium was a brilliant location for the board meeting! Pictured below...

🤔 How do YOU feel about the visitor levy announced in last week’s #budget? 🎥 This weekend @zoebillingham.bsky.social sat on the red sofa for BBC Politics North West to explain why IPPR have been supporting this measure. 💪 A levy that local leaders can use for local priorities!

🎉Now the Chancellor has confirmed England's mayors can impose a visitor levy on overnight stays. 💪Local leaders can use this income to invest in local causes. We caught up with Mayor of Greater Manchester @andyburnham.bsky.social last week, who thanked us for our support as we awaited the news!

📣The government has finally signalled who it stands for, protecting working people from the cost of living. At IPPR North we're reacting to today's Budget announcement. @zoebillingham.bsky.social 👇👇

🔔It’s Budget Day!🔔 This Budget will show who the government is working for. We’ll be looking out to see if it passes our three tests: ⚖️ Is it fair, asking more of those with the broadest shoulders? 💷 Does it reduce the cost of living? 📈 Is it pro-growth?

🏆England's Mayors will be given powers to impose an visitor levy on overnight stays, allowing local leaders to invest in local causes. 📈This is a MAJOR step forward for fiscal devolution, and a real win for IPPR North! @zoebillingham.bsky.social gives her reaction👇👇