THE head of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership said we need to "see action" following today's Queen's Speech. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised to unleash the “pent up energy of the UK economy” as he set out the Queen’s Speech.

The Queen unveiled the Government’s programme in her first major public ceremonial appearance since the death of her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, but the occasion was stripped of much of its pomp as a result of the pandemic.

The Prime Minister told MPs the programme would “take this country forward” and spread opportunity across the country, with a “levelling-up White Paper” setting out how Mr Johnson intends to meet the promises made to voters in former Labour-voting areas promised.

Henri Murison, director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: “A credible plan for levelling up must focus on closing long-term barriers to productivity including connectivity, education and skills.

“Today we heard more promises across each of these priorities - now we need to see action.

“The North was promised a high-speed rail revolution and although we welcome the High Speed Bill announced today, we need clarity that both HS2 on the Eastern Leg and Northern Powerhouse Rail will be delivered in full to secure business confidence. 

"There are some transformational rail projects which don’t require Parliamentary approval of the route. Starting on the line between Leeds and Manchester as far as Bradford can be done on the existing line, including building a replacement city centre station for the interchange at the Wholesale Market site.”

Roger Marsh OBE DL, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and the NP11 group of Northern Local Enterprise Partnerships, added: “I was pleased to see a continued commitment to levelling up all parts of the UK at the heart of today’s Queen’s Speech.

"We will only build back better from the current crisis by ensuring that places across our country have the tools and powers to fulfil their potential. Having a clear plan to unlock the North’s potential is critical to delivering on the Government’s levelling up ambitions and giving the 15 million people who live in the North hope for the future.

“Although places across the North face different challenges, there are common opportunities which, with the right Government support and investment, will help northern towns, cities and rural areas play their full part in driving future UK prosperity.

“By backing the North to lead the UK’s green industrial revolution the Government could create 100,000 new skilled jobs and add £2bn a year to our economy, as well as halve carbon emissions by 2032.

“Through investment in trade and innovation, it can capitalise on the North’s strengths in global growth sectors such as advanced manufacturing, health innovation and digital and take advantage of opportunities as Global Britain looks for new overseas markets.

“And, by using local industry leadership to leverage the high levels of Northern private sector investment in R&D as we build a greener, healthier economy, we can make the UK a true Science Superpower.

“The NP11 looks forward to working closely with the Government as it develops its Levelling Up White Paper, and to ensuring that northern success becomes national success.”