THREAD: We had our first virtual coffee session @IPPRNorth this week to discuss levelling up and regional inequality- a chance to keep talking in the midst of the #COVIDー19 lockdown. Some thoughts from our discussion 1/7

The UK went into this crisis with the highest levels of regional divide in developed world. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤦‍♀️" title="Woman facepalming" aria-label="Emoji: Woman facepalming"> This inequality will leave the North and other regions vulnerable to the impacts of the virus. This makes levelling up more important than ever 2/7 https://www.ippr.org/research/publications/state-of-the-north-2019">https://www.ippr.org/research/...

COVID-19 should not be an excuse for re-centralisation. We are seeing just how important the mayoral & local authorities are in dealing with the crisis. We need an end to austerity & proper funding settlement as part of the exit strategy 3/7

The Shared Prosperity Fund will become even more urgent for the regional recovery effort – along with a revision of local industrial strategies to enable key sectors and economies to recover. 4/7

COVID-19 has revealed the meaningless of distinctions between low and high skilled workers. Treat all work with respect and treat people decently 5/7 https://www.ippr.org/research/publications/decent-work">https://www.ippr.org/research/...

People, especially younger people & children will be deeply affected by lived experience of lockdown. There will be knock on impacts for health and wellbeing. We need a collective northern effort to help people heal - civil society and public services will play a key role. 5 /7

The North will be a different place after COVID-19 – Perhaps it can help us reshape our economic approach towards a greater appreciation of kindness, community and nature. END