Leaders from across the North have called for more investment and more devolution to help promote culture in the north of England.
A new report from the Northern Culture All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) argues that the development of culture in the North is essential for the post-pandemic recovery and for levelling up.
The APPG’s report recommends the devolution of funding and the introduction of more flexible funding in order to better support creative ideas and generate greater cultural capital across the North.
Combined authorities, local authorities and other local bodies should also share datasets and better advocate together for the contribution made by Northern culture to the national economy and society, according to the report.
There should also be place-based performance indicators for measuring the levelling up agenda’s progress and existing health and culture partnerships should be scaled up.
The APPG also recommends that there should be greater collaboration to bring together public bodies in the health and cultural sectors to promote the role culture and heritage plays in the North’s wellbeing.