The impact of the Coronavirus crisis has caused widespread uncertainty and significant disruption for almost every business sector.
Lockdown restrictions have forced many companies to amend their usual practices and adjust their targets, in the hopes of future-proofing themselves during the turbulent times.
The difficulties experienced since March have had far reaching consequences on industries across the country, and risked creating further economic gaps between regions.
But as parts of society slowly begin to reopen, and further budget stimuluses are applied, some areas are able to start shifting their thoughts to recovery, and the future.
In our latest #TfNTalks webinar, our expert panel will be looking at what the business proprieties are for the North.
The session will bring together voices from across the region to understand how COVID-19 has provided new challenges, what the effect has been on existing longer term goals, and how the pandemic may have reshaped them moving forward.
We’ll be joined by political leaders and industry experts for the debate, including:
Our panellists will reflect on the priorities for the North of England business communities, both rural and urban.
They’ll look at what difference the challenge of Covid-19 has had to the aspirations of the region; and what long-term objectives need to be realised.
Transport for the North recently published an Economic Recovery Plan for how transport can be used to get the North moving, and there are also many other areas that need to be addressed if we are to ‘Build Back Better’.
Miranda Barker, Chief Executive of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce said:
“Wide scale transport investment is absolutely essential for the North’s manufacturing industrial base to achieve its full contribution to the UK’s economic recovery post-Covid 19.”
Emma Degg, Chief Executive, North West Business Leadership said:
“One of the lessons of the unprecedented time we are living through is how important its is to work together across sectors on clear priorities. Worrying less about organisational boundaries – focusing on getting what needs to be done delivered. If we apply that way of working to tackling the long standing challenges faces in our region’s economy –harnessing our strengths and connecting our opportunities – we can Build Back Better.”
Cllr Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Access, North Yorkshire County Council, said:
“Good communications are vital to businesses and the county places a high priority on maintaining its highways (total length 6,000 miles) to a very high standard of repair. Rail links are also very important but many residents have to rely upon buses as the main provider of public transport.
“Generally speaking, north-south transport links are very good in the county, whilst east-west links need to be improved. We have a number of schemes planned to bring about those improvements in road and rail.”
Peter Kennan, Private sector lead on transport at Sheffield City Region LEP, said:
“Entrepreneurial businesses are quite capable of transforming our Northern economy over time but need the right sustainable investment in the economy, to help drive productivity, improve skills, and give access to greater prosperity to everyone. Transport investment is a vital part of that strategy.”
The audience can submit questions when registering and will be kept up-to-date with the event ahead of the broadcast.
This webinar is being hosted on Zoom, and a link will be sent to participants following registration.
