Northern Leaders Urge Chancellor Rachel Reeves for Full Northern Powerhouse Rail Implementation Ahead of Budget

Northern Leaders Call for Transformative Rail Investment

A coalition of Northern mayors and council leaders, known as 'The Great North', has formally written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, pressing for the full implementation of the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) project. The letter, sent ahead of Reeves' Budget statement scheduled for November 26, 2025, outlines a series of demands aimed at boosting the region's economy and connectivity.

Rachel Reeves, who assumed the role of Chancellor of the Exchequer in July 2024, is responsible for the government's fiscal policy and presenting the annual Budget. The collective voice from the North underscores the urgency of significant infrastructure investment and broader economic reforms.

Key Demands for Rail and Regional Growth

The letter from 'The Great North' coalition, which includes prominent figures such as Greater Manchester's Andy Burnham and Yorkshire's four mayors, details specific requirements for the rail network and other regional priorities. Tees Valley Mayor Lord Ben Houchen was noted as the only Northern mayor not to sign the letter.

Their key demands include:

• The full delivery of Northern Powerhouse Rail, specifically a new line connecting Liverpool to Manchester via Manchester Airport, extending onwards to Huddersfield and Leeds through a new station in Bradford.
• The electrification of the Leeds to Sheffield line.
• The reopening of the Leamside Line to enhance services through to Sheffield, Hull, and the North East.
• Significant upgrades to the Hope Valley line.
• A new devolved funding settlement to foster business growth across the North.
• Action to tackle child poverty, including the repeal of the two-child benefit cap.

The Vision and Reality of Northern Powerhouse Rail

Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) is envisioned as a transformative rail program designed to significantly enhance the economic potential of the North of England by improving rail services between its major towns and cities. The original concept proposed a new high-speed line stretching from Liverpool to Hull, incorporating a stop in Bradford.

However, the government's Integrated Rail Plan (IRP), published in November 2021, scaled back these ambitious proposals. The IRP, a £96 billion plan, opted for a combination of partial new lines and upgrades to existing infrastructure, rather than the full high-speed network initially sought. This decision notably excluded the eastern leg of HS2 to Leeds and curtailed the anticipated new high-speed Transpennine route between Leeds and Manchester via Bradford.

Political Context and Previous Decisions

The curtailment of NPR under the IRP drew considerable criticism, with many leaders and commentators describing it as a 'watering down' of the original vision. Critics argued that the revised plan would not deliver the long-term economic transformation necessary for the government's 'levelling up' agenda in the North. Despite these concerns, the government has recently announced further steps for the development of NPR between Liverpool and Manchester, supported by £2.5 billion of reallocated HS2 funding.

The current letter to Chancellor Reeves reflects a continued push from Northern leaders to secure the comprehensive investment they believe is essential for the region's future. They argue that a fully realized NPR, alongside other strategic investments, is crucial for unlocking economic growth, improving connectivity, and addressing social inequalities across the North of England.