Chancellor's 'Northern Powerhouse' not restricted to England says Welsh Secretary

Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb is on a two day tour of north Wales which has seen him visit Job Centre Plus in Shotton, the first Wales JCP to adopt Universal Credit and Raythoen Broughton.

During the trip he will travel the breadth of North Wales, visiting businesses and meeting the people who are helping the North Wales economy grow.

He will also look at the the regions creaking transport infrastructure including the electrification of north Wales rail lines.

.@SCrabbMP visiting JobCentre Plus Shotton to see how it’s helping people into sustainable jobs #LongTermEconomicPlan pic.twitter.com/rNsof7Ihmo

— UK Government in Wales (@UKGovWales) November 27, 2014

In a speech at the Daily Post annual business awards, Stephen Crabb is expected to say:

North Wales is a beacon for investment and jobs – a Northern Powerhouse for the Welsh economy.

This government has a long-term economic plan that creates the right conditions for growth in North Wales – a recovery that is broad based and balanced; that reaches into every region of the UK, so that London and the south-east don’t suck in the best at the expense of the rest.

.@SCrabbMP addressing staff @Raytheon Broughton & thanking them for contribution to the Welsh economy. pic.twitter.com/JOKQLCf752

— UK Government in Wales (@UKGovWales) November 27, 2014

North Wales is not just an economic region in itself, it is part of a wider community – not just South to Swansea and Cardiff, but North and East to Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Humberside.

The Northern Powerhouse the Chancellor has spoken about is not exclusive – not restricted to England. It’s about linking the northern regions, including North Wales, to trade, grow, attract private investment, and attract the best people.

Business leaders in North Wales are the driving force behind the economic recovery in Wales and the people that are making North Wales our own Northern Powerhouse.