Michael Gove is to join political and business leaders from across the North in Liverpool next month to discuss the Government's levelling up policy.
Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is to attend the event at The Spine in Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter on Tuesday, February 8.
Organisers have said attendees will discuss how the North can work together and with Government to "make sure levelling up maximises the North’s potential to grow an inclusive, productive, sustainable economy that works for everyone, while also driving the UK’s transition to Net Zero and tackling health inequalities through innovation".
READ MORE: Billionaire Issa brothers 'weighing up' £10bn Asda takeover of Boots
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: "Next month’s Convention of the North will be a unique opportunity for community, business and political leaders to come together to make sense of what exactly ‘levelling up’ is, and work out an action plan to help make it a reality.
"Levelling up has to be about more than just big spending announcements and shiny infrastructure projects. To mean anything, levelling up has tackle long-standing structural inequalities that exist between North and South.
"From healthcare and job prospects, to transport and infrastructure spending people’s lives can be radically different based on where they happen to be born. This is not an issue of party politics but one of fairness and social justice.
"It is fantastic to welcome leaders from across the country to the Liverpool City Region but let me be clear: this is not designed to be a talking shop. I want this to deliver concrete plans for improving the lives of the nearly 16m people who call the North home.
"The success of the UK, not only in the present but for generations to come is dependent on a strong North. This is our chance to make it happen."
The event has been organised by the NP11, Culture Liverpool, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority on behalf of the Convention for the North.
Sir Roger Marsh, Chair of the NP11 group of 11 northern local enterprise partnerships and chair of the Leeds City Region LEP added: "The Convention of the North with NP11 in 2019 was hugely important because it was the first commitment to work across partners to realise the North’s full potential.
"With the UK at a critical moment, we hope this event will build on its successes and I look forward to a productive, challenging, inspiring and open conversation that will help us collectively turn potential into delivery.
"The two-plus years since the last Convention have seen unprecedented change across the North and globally. Despite the challenges we face, there are also many causes for optimism.
"The North has the skills, drive and innovation to benefit the whole UK by leading the fourth industrial revolution, focusing on green jobs and health innovation.
"As well as levelling up our powerhouse northern region, this will deliver on the Government’s vision for a competitive Global Britain."
Nick Forbes, leader of Newcastle City Council and chair of Convention of the North, said: "The Convention of the North will be a great opportunity to bring civic, business, and cultural leaders from the North together to work with Government to better understand how levelling up will ensure that the economic and social potential of the North is unlocked.
"The forthcoming Levelling Up White Paper could be a landmark occasion for the millions of people who call the North home.
"It is an opportunity for Government to break down barriers and make sure our region is equipped to play a leading role in developing skills, modernising infrastructure, building and growing a sustainable and green economy and achieving our Net Zero ambitions.
"Our cities, towns, and villages have so much to offer, but it is by only working together, in collaboration with Government, that we will ensure we are all getting the most from levelling up and provide lasting and meaningful change for the North that provides opportunities for everyone, regardless of where they live. We need to jointly reset the relationship and make a commitment to change."
