PRIME Minister Boris Johnson’s pledge to create a Northern Powerhouse growth body with powers to bring together major organisations to drive the region’s economy forward, have been welcomed in Cumbria.

Addressing business leaders, MPs, mayors and councillors at the Convention of the North and NP 11 event in Rotherham yesterday, Mr Johnson also reaffirmed his commitment to the region by pledging to hand down more decision-making and investment powers to devolved areas, which presently does not include Cumbria.

He also outlined plans to devolve powers over transport, with a particular emphasis on the railways, which he described as “patchy” in the North.

“What is needed most of all is local leadership, trusting people to take back control and lead as they want to,” said Mr Johnson.

“This is not about central government abdicating responsibility, but local leaders have a real power to change local issues.”

Delegates at the joint event staged by the Convention of the North and the NP11 – which brings together the North’s 11 Local Enterprise Partnerships, including Cumbria – were told that a seismic shift in funding and powers was needed to close the North-South economic divide.

Issues including skills and education, housing, transport, innovation, trade and clean growth were top of the agenda.

The Prime Minister’s speech was welcomed by Barry Leahey MBE, chair of the Cumbria branch of the Institute of Directors and managing director of Haverthwaite-based manufacturer Playdale Playgrounds.

“We all must welcome the news that the PM has reconfirmed his pledges for the North,” he said.

“A Northern Powerhouse growth body has to be a strategic alliance to drive our region forward and unlock the potential we have here. Skills and infrastructure have to be key and collaboration will be the vehicle to deliver this. There is talk of a leader to orchestrate this and if is the right appointment our corner of the UK will be able to take on the world.”

Further details of the Northern Powerhouse growth body are yet to emerge, although the search is on to find someone to chair it.