One North proposal a major boost to the regional economy

Council leaders from five cities in the North of England have presented a £15bn plan to the Chancellor, George Osborne, in a bid to transform transport infrastructure in the region.

The One North report, compiled by representatives from Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Leeds and Newcastle calls for a 15 year plan to better connect these cities and create a 'Northern Powerhouse' to rebalance the economy and compete with London on the international stage.

Paul Kenyon, Co-founder and EVP of sales at Avecto commented on the announcement:

"This is great news for the regional economy. The North has been crying out for infrastructure investment and if the proposals in the One North report are realised then businesses will find themselves in a much stronger position.

"On a practical level, improved road and rail links mean companies would be able to attract and retain talent from further afield, with commuting times slashed across the region. This would be a real boost for us at Avecto.

"Manchester has always played an important role in the North's economic development, but by pooling together the resources of major cities, the resulting 'northern powerhouse' could extend the influence we had during the Industrial Age into the Digital Revolution."

The One North proposal will now form the centrepiece of the Chancellors Autumn Statement and his long-term economic plan for the UK.