Official figures released yesterday (6 September 2018) show that the demand for goods made in the Northern Powerhouse has grown by 3.5% over the last year, and 16.1% since 2010.

Steady year on year and quarter on quarter growth in exports from the Northern Powerhouse shows the strength of the northern economy as the United Kingdom prepares to leave the European Union next March.

The combined value of all goods in Q2 2018 was £14.9 billion, £2.1 billion more than the same time in 2010.

Also, the value of goods on the quarter in 2018 rose from £14.5 billion in Q1 to £14.9 billion in Q2.

The figures also show that exports from across the Northern Powerhouse rose by £497million from Q2 2017 to Q2 2018.

Machinery and transport, chemicals and manufactured goods are the biggest exports from the Northern Powerhouse regions – worth a combined total of £11.2 billion.

Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry MP, 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.

Yesterday’s figures from Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs 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 £500 million with supply chain businesses.

Recent investments of over £160 million to modernise facilities in Barnoldswick, Lancashire and £130 million on a state of the art discs facility in Washington, Tyne & Wear demonstrates our commitment to the North and we are also committed to working with the government as Northern Powerhouse partners.

Weardale residents are reaping the benefits of a project which has kick-started a £2.1million natural flood management (NFM) project.

A programme of peatland restoration over last winter on a Weardale hillside will help reduce flooding further down the dale, as well as encouraging carbon capture and improving the land for nature.

And a film of the work has launched a new series of Environment Agency Youtube videos which will capture the pioneering Weardale project throughout.

There is also an introductory video about the whole project and what it aims to achieve.

Introduction to Weardale Natural Flood Management project

Extensive areas restored

The North Pennines AONB Partnership worked with East Allenheads Estate to restore extensive areas of bare peat on Wolfcleugh Common, above Rookhope.

It’s the first step for the Weardale Natural Flood Management pilot project which will see the Environment Agency and its partners investigate the potential for a much bigger initiative.

The ambition is to deliver natural features across 100km2 area to reduce the risk of flooding to 141 properties and create a haven for wildlife to thrive.

The project team is currently carrying out an assessment of NFM techniques that might help reduce flood risk in Weardale and takes in towns and villages including Stanhope, Westgate, Eastgate and Wolsingham.

The Environment Agency is working on the project with Natural England, Forestry Commission, Durham County Council, the North Pennines AONB Partnership and the Wear Catchment Partnership, established under Defra’s Catchment Based Approach.

The project team, supported by Wear Rivers Trust, is now working with local farmers and landowners to discuss voluntary involvement in the scheme for future features to be delivered on site at the end of this year.

The peatland restoration work at Rookhope includes installing coir rolls and stone dams to slow down the flow of surface water over bare peat. Steep sided erosion gullies have been reshaped to encourage revegetation, and heather and mosses have been harvested and spread over the bare peat. This helps protect it from further damage from wind, rain, frost and ice and also creates an ideal environment for seeds to germinate.

A series of videos of the Weardale work will be uploaded to Youtube so the community can understand the project and stay updated with progress.

Peatland restoration

Fantastic to see work completed

Alistair Lockett, Field Officer at the North Pennines AONB Partnership, said:

We have been working with Natural England and East Allenheads Estate for the past three years and it is fantastic to see the work completed. It will make a big difference to the valley, by improving carbon storage and mitigating flooding downstream. We’re also pleased that we have been able to support local contractors within the North Pennines.

Kirsty Hardy, the Environment Agency’s Project Manager for Weardale NFM scheme, added:

The AONB Partnership’s peatland restoration work kick starts what is a pioneering project to explore and deliver natural flood management features to reduce flood risk in Weardale, as well as enrich the landscape and habitat of what is a beautiful area of countryside.

Together with our partners we hosted a series of events in the Spring for the community to come along and find out more about the project. We’re now speaking with local farmers and landowners to identify any suitable locations for potential delivery of natural flood management features early next year.

This is a really exciting opportunity to increase our understanding of the impact natural flood management can have on reducing the risk of flooding. A series of videos about the project from start to finish will help people understand the process and stay up to date with progress.

In March 2017 the Environment Agency announced £15million of funding had been made available for NFM schemes nationally. Initial work to engage with farmers and communities and model the flood risk benefits that can be achieved will be complete by the end of the year. If this is successful then the project will deliver a programme of work from early 2019 for a two-year period.

From September 2018 to the end of March 2019, HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) will continue to engage with practising legal professionals and professional court users about our £1bn courts and tribunals reform programme.

We will host a series of face-to-face and online events, organised by jurisdiction and topic. The events will enable participants to increase their knowledge and understanding, provide feedback, and ask questions about the progress and ambitions of the reform programme.

We are offering various event formats, providing a range of opportunities to get involved. All events will include a presentation, demonstrations (where available), and a question and answer session.

The online events will use interactive video technology to enable participation without the need to travel. The face-to-face events will be live streamed whilst we will also enable contributions using an interactive question and answer system and the opportunity to pre-submit questions in advance by email.

We will publish video recordings of all events for those unable to participate on the day.

Please use the links below to register your interest in attending. We plan to cover all jurisdictions (crime, civil, family and tribunals) using a range of formats and geographical locations. We will also use feedback from these events to inform and improve future activities. Our events page will be updated as new events are added.

Online events

Face-to-face events

If you have any queries or require further information about the events, please e-mail us.
Read all the latest information and updates on the HMCTS reform programme.