Northern Powerhouse powers ahead

Latest figures show demand for goods made in the Northern Powerhouse has grown by 3.5% over the last year – over 16% since 2010.

Steady year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter growth in exports from the Northern Powerhouse shows the strength of the Northern economy, says the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Logal Government.

The combined value of all goods in quarter two 2018 was £14.9bn, £2.1bn more than the same time in 2010 and  the value of goods on the quarter in 2018 rose from £14.5bn in quarter one to £14.9bn in quarter two. Machinery and transport, chemicals and manufactured goods are the biggest exports from the Northern Powerhouse regions – worth a combined total of £11.2bn.

Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry said: “These figures show that the Northern Powerhouse is delivering for exporters across the whole of the North of England. As we prepare for Brexit, the exporters of the North are rising to the challenge. These figures prove that the feeling of optimism about our growing Northern economy I witnessed this summer as part of my tour of the North is real and creating jobs, wealth and growth across the region.”

Figures from Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) show the European Union is the biggest destination for Northern exports, followed by Asia & Oceania.

Paul Harris, director of economic development, Rolls-Royce, said: “It’s positive to see that there has been a rise in trade and exports in the Northern Powerhouse. Rolls-Royce employs 25,000 people in the UK, accounts for 0.7% of UK GDP and 2% of all UK goods exports. Trading internationally is vital to our global business and 80% of what we manufacture in the UK is exported around the world. With sites in the North West, North East and Yorkshire and Humber, Rolls-Royce has a significant impact on the Northern economy, employing around 2,000 people, supporting more than 25,000 jobs and spending more than £500m with supply chain businesses.”