Northern Powerhouse - lost in a Brexit fog?

 Following the fun and games with Brexit, and the recent announcement of at least a 7 year delay to HS2 it is worth recapping on the highlights from an Insider article (https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/national/powerhouse-perspective-david-fort)  that David Fort, our Managing Director, was involved in earlier this year to see if they have stood the test of time:

What does the Northern Powerhouse mean to you?

To me, Northern Powerhouse means frustration. The idea had great potential for businesses and politicians to come together to make a real difference. Unfortunately it feels as though there's still not enough practical support to help make a real difference.

Five years have passed since the phrase 'Northern Powerhouse' was first coined. Has enough happened since then?

Individual cities are still working independently rather than coming together. A solution to make the Northern Powerhouse work is an increased devolution of power and resources away from Westminster to the city regions in the North.

What must the government do to re-energise the Northern Powerhouse?

Better transport links in the North of the country will have a hugely positive impact on re-energising the Northern Powerhouse. Links to London are advanced and make travel between the North and South efficient, however travel between northern cities has a long way to go.

What is the single main issue you would like to see dominate the Northern Powerhouse agenda?

The economy working together to promote the North of England. The Northern Powerhouse should be a team of politicians, businesses and the economy all working together. The Northern Powerhouse initiative has great potential which unfortunately hasn't taken off.

Depressingly it all still holds good, and if anything looks further away than ever - what are your thoughts?