JP Spencer
@jpspencer.bsky.social
Director of Devolution Policy, Labour Together. Economist. Author at Future North writing about the North of England (link below).
Posts about policy, politics and the Pennines (and beyond).
📍 West Yorkshire.
🧭 futurenorth.substack.com
Posts about policy, politics and the Pennines (and beyond).
📍 West Yorkshire.
🧭 futurenorth.substack.com
Pinned
🚆Has the North’s rail service improved?
📈 I’ve had a look into the punctuality and cancellation statistics for Northern and Transpennine Express (TPE) as my recent experiences suggested things might have got better – from a low base back in 2022 as pictured!
Short 🧵
1/7
📈 I’ve had a look into the punctuality and cancellation statistics for Northern and Transpennine Express (TPE) as my recent experiences suggested things might have got better – from a low base back in 2022 as pictured!
Short 🧵
1/7
Reposted by JP Spencer
🚆Has the North’s rail service improved?
📈 I’ve had a look into the punctuality and cancellation statistics for Northern and Transpennine Express (TPE) as my recent experiences suggested things might have got better – from a low base back in 2022 as pictured!
Short 🧵
1/7
📈 I’ve had a look into the punctuality and cancellation statistics for Northern and Transpennine Express (TPE) as my recent experiences suggested things might have got better – from a low base back in 2022 as pictured!
Short 🧵
1/7
November 13, 2025 at 5:08 PM
🚆Has the North’s rail service improved?
📈 I’ve had a look into the punctuality and cancellation statistics for Northern and Transpennine Express (TPE) as my recent experiences suggested things might have got better – from a low base back in 2022 as pictured!
Short 🧵
1/7
📈 I’ve had a look into the punctuality and cancellation statistics for Northern and Transpennine Express (TPE) as my recent experiences suggested things might have got better – from a low base back in 2022 as pictured!
Short 🧵
1/7
🚆Has the North’s rail service improved?
📈 I’ve had a look into the punctuality and cancellation statistics for Northern and Transpennine Express (TPE) as my recent experiences suggested things might have got better – from a low base back in 2022 as pictured!
Short 🧵
1/7
📈 I’ve had a look into the punctuality and cancellation statistics for Northern and Transpennine Express (TPE) as my recent experiences suggested things might have got better – from a low base back in 2022 as pictured!
Short 🧵
1/7
November 13, 2025 at 5:08 PM
🚆Has the North’s rail service improved?
📈 I’ve had a look into the punctuality and cancellation statistics for Northern and Transpennine Express (TPE) as my recent experiences suggested things might have got better – from a low base back in 2022 as pictured!
Short 🧵
1/7
📈 I’ve had a look into the punctuality and cancellation statistics for Northern and Transpennine Express (TPE) as my recent experiences suggested things might have got better – from a low base back in 2022 as pictured!
Short 🧵
1/7
Reposted by JP Spencer
They were being integrated with the mayor role anyway so this makes total sense. No need for a separate function. Helps build up mayors as the single tier of regional government.
BREAKING Home Office is about to announce that police and crime commissioners are to be scrapped..
Established in 2012 by Theresa May, Labour has never been a fan of the PCC system…they’ll be replaced in 2028 by policing mayors & local policing boards ..
Established in 2012 by Theresa May, Labour has never been a fan of the PCC system…they’ll be replaced in 2028 by policing mayors & local policing boards ..
November 13, 2025 at 11:35 AM
They were being integrated with the mayor role anyway so this makes total sense. No need for a separate function. Helps build up mayors as the single tier of regional government.
Excellent news - as called for in reports both by @samfr.bsky.social and myself over the past year.
Building on previous reforms in Greater Manchester and other areas, the government is now giving mayors control with clear accountability and potential for alignment with other public services.
Building on previous reforms in Greater Manchester and other areas, the government is now giving mayors control with clear accountability and potential for alignment with other public services.
Police and crime commissioners to be abolished, government to announce
Police and crime commissioners to be abolished, government to announce
System introduced in 2012 across England and Wales has faced criticism from police chiefs
*
UK politics live – latest updates
The controversial system of police and crime commissioners is to be abolished by the government, the Guardian has learned.
Under the system, introduced under the Conservatives, all 43 police forces covering local areas across England and Wales had to answer to an elected official. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Excellent news - as called for in reports both by @samfr.bsky.social and myself over the past year.
Building on previous reforms in Greater Manchester and other areas, the government is now giving mayors control with clear accountability and potential for alignment with other public services.
Building on previous reforms in Greater Manchester and other areas, the government is now giving mayors control with clear accountability and potential for alignment with other public services.
Reposted by JP Spencer
Tonight I had a good call with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during which we discussed progress made and reiterated our commitment to our renewed agenda.
We have agreed to start negotiations on both the SPS and ETS agreements next week.
We have agreed to start negotiations on both the SPS and ETS agreements next week.
November 12, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Tonight I had a good call with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during which we discussed progress made and reiterated our commitment to our renewed agenda.
We have agreed to start negotiations on both the SPS and ETS agreements next week.
We have agreed to start negotiations on both the SPS and ETS agreements next week.
Reposted by JP Spencer
If we want more growth in regional economies and second cities across the UK what can be learnt from @lpoolcityregion.bsky.social ?
bsky.app/profile/jpsp...
bsky.app/profile/jpsp...
The Liverpool City Region has been growing strongly in recent years – not too far behind Greater Manchester and third in the leaderboard of Northern productivity growth.
But why is this the case? And what can we learn for the UK productivity problem?
Short 🧵
1/5
But why is this the case? And what can we learn for the UK productivity problem?
Short 🧵
1/5
November 12, 2025 at 9:39 AM
If we want more growth in regional economies and second cities across the UK what can be learnt from @lpoolcityregion.bsky.social ?
bsky.app/profile/jpsp...
bsky.app/profile/jpsp...
Reposted by JP Spencer
Glad to see my analysis on Greater Manchester's productivity growth being the highest in the country cited in this OECD blog.
The authors say devolution is likely part of the answer - and we need to go further so places have the revenue to get on with delivering.
oecdcogito.blog/2025/11/06/i...
The authors say devolution is likely part of the answer - and we need to go further so places have the revenue to get on with delivering.
oecdcogito.blog/2025/11/06/i...
Is UK devolution delivering? - Cogito COGITO
Greater Manchester has recently outpaced London in productivity growth - a surprising shift that’s prompting many to ask: Is this the long-awaited “devolution dividend”? And could it finally help clos...
oecdcogito.blog
November 10, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Glad to see my analysis on Greater Manchester's productivity growth being the highest in the country cited in this OECD blog.
The authors say devolution is likely part of the answer - and we need to go further so places have the revenue to get on with delivering.
oecdcogito.blog/2025/11/06/i...
The authors say devolution is likely part of the answer - and we need to go further so places have the revenue to get on with delivering.
oecdcogito.blog/2025/11/06/i...
Reposted by JP Spencer
The collapse of Noah Smith from 'interesting writer whose occasionally a bit random' into 'complete idiot and mentalist' is one of the most clear cut cases of twitter-poisoning I've seen
Noah Smith is paid in the high six-figures to write a blog read by Americans who believe themselves to be intelligent. Yet, he is both unable to read a sign and also for some reason chose to have a 90 minute layover for a flight that takes 90 minutes.
onemileatatime.com/news/economi...
onemileatatime.com/news/economi...
Economist Doesn't Follow Signs At Heathrow: Proof The UK Is Failing?
A economist had a bad experience connecting at Heathrow, suggesting it's reflective of bigger issues in the UK. There's only one issue...
onemileatatime.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:33 PM
The collapse of Noah Smith from 'interesting writer whose occasionally a bit random' into 'complete idiot and mentalist' is one of the most clear cut cases of twitter-poisoning I've seen
Reposted by JP Spencer
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
Reposted by JP Spencer
Tuesday's GUARDIAN: BBC board member with Tory link 'led the charge' over claims of bias #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 10, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Tuesday's GUARDIAN: BBC board member with Tory link 'led the charge' over claims of bias #TomorrowsPapersToday
Reposted by JP Spencer
Reposted by JP Spencer
Congratulations to Lorna Fielker, selected as Labour candidate for Mayor of Hampshire & Solent! 🌹👏🏾
Our region needs strong representation on the national stage, and our first elected Mayor must be a loud voice for our communities. Lorna will be all this and more.
Well done! 💪🏾
Our region needs strong representation on the national stage, and our first elected Mayor must be a loud voice for our communities. Lorna will be all this and more.
Well done! 💪🏾
November 10, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Congratulations to Lorna Fielker, selected as Labour candidate for Mayor of Hampshire & Solent! 🌹👏🏾
Our region needs strong representation on the national stage, and our first elected Mayor must be a loud voice for our communities. Lorna will be all this and more.
Well done! 💪🏾
Our region needs strong representation on the national stage, and our first elected Mayor must be a loud voice for our communities. Lorna will be all this and more.
Well done! 💪🏾
Reposted by JP Spencer
The UK government's Social Mobility Commission are now on bluesky - do give them a follow ⤵️
🎓 We need to break the vicious circle in disadvantaged regions of low productivity, low investment and low skills.
👉 Read more in our latest report https://bit.ly/3KOMWh2
👉 Read more in our latest report https://bit.ly/3KOMWh2
November 10, 2025 at 3:52 PM
The UK government's Social Mobility Commission are now on bluesky - do give them a follow ⤵️
Reposted by JP Spencer
Headline from a serious and long working paper on the economic impact of Brexit. Possible that this has been feeding into OBR and HMT discussions?
November 10, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Headline from a serious and long working paper on the economic impact of Brexit. Possible that this has been feeding into OBR and HMT discussions?
Glad to see my analysis on Greater Manchester's productivity growth being the highest in the country cited in this OECD blog.
The authors say devolution is likely part of the answer - and we need to go further so places have the revenue to get on with delivering.
oecdcogito.blog/2025/11/06/i...
The authors say devolution is likely part of the answer - and we need to go further so places have the revenue to get on with delivering.
oecdcogito.blog/2025/11/06/i...
Is UK devolution delivering? - Cogito COGITO
Greater Manchester has recently outpaced London in productivity growth - a surprising shift that’s prompting many to ask: Is this the long-awaited “devolution dividend”? And could it finally help clos...
oecdcogito.blog
November 10, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Glad to see my analysis on Greater Manchester's productivity growth being the highest in the country cited in this OECD blog.
The authors say devolution is likely part of the answer - and we need to go further so places have the revenue to get on with delivering.
oecdcogito.blog/2025/11/06/i...
The authors say devolution is likely part of the answer - and we need to go further so places have the revenue to get on with delivering.
oecdcogito.blog/2025/11/06/i...
Reposted by JP Spencer
Liverpool City Region has been growing strongly since the pandemic - with particular strengths in education and science.
Is this momentum on the Mersey a sign of things to come?
futurenorth.substack.com/p/momentum-o...
Is this momentum on the Mersey a sign of things to come?
futurenorth.substack.com/p/momentum-o...
Momentum on the Mersey?
The growth of education and science in the Liverpool City Region
futurenorth.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Liverpool City Region has been growing strongly since the pandemic - with particular strengths in education and science.
Is this momentum on the Mersey a sign of things to come?
futurenorth.substack.com/p/momentum-o...
Is this momentum on the Mersey a sign of things to come?
futurenorth.substack.com/p/momentum-o...
Reposted by JP Spencer
Tackling inequality. Protecting the planet. Creating the public services of tomorrow.
The Labour Party is the progressive party facing the future, delivering modern Britain.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The Labour Party is the progressive party facing the future, delivering modern Britain.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Greens’ ‘undeliverable’ promises will let voters down, says Labour minister
Exclusive: Darren Jones says Labour has to convince young people it is ‘modern party of the future’
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Tackling inequality. Protecting the planet. Creating the public services of tomorrow.
The Labour Party is the progressive party facing the future, delivering modern Britain.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The Labour Party is the progressive party facing the future, delivering modern Britain.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Which government has increased investment and NHS spending, increased taxes on inheritance, non doms and capital gains, nationalised the railways, ended the onshore windfarm ban, brought back Sure Start and expanded free schools meals?
This one ⬇️
Lots done, more to do as Darren says.
This one ⬇️
Lots done, more to do as Darren says.
Tackling inequality. Protecting the planet. Creating the public services of tomorrow.
The Labour Party is the progressive party facing the future, delivering modern Britain.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
The Labour Party is the progressive party facing the future, delivering modern Britain.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Greens’ ‘undeliverable’ promises will let voters down, says Labour minister
Exclusive: Darren Jones says Labour has to convince young people it is ‘modern party of the future’
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Which government has increased investment and NHS spending, increased taxes on inheritance, non doms and capital gains, nationalised the railways, ended the onshore windfarm ban, brought back Sure Start and expanded free schools meals?
This one ⬇️
Lots done, more to do as Darren says.
This one ⬇️
Lots done, more to do as Darren says.
Liverpool City Region has been growing strongly since the pandemic - with particular strengths in education and science.
Is this momentum on the Mersey a sign of things to come?
futurenorth.substack.com/p/momentum-o...
Is this momentum on the Mersey a sign of things to come?
futurenorth.substack.com/p/momentum-o...
Momentum on the Mersey?
The growth of education and science in the Liverpool City Region
futurenorth.substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Liverpool City Region has been growing strongly since the pandemic - with particular strengths in education and science.
Is this momentum on the Mersey a sign of things to come?
futurenorth.substack.com/p/momentum-o...
Is this momentum on the Mersey a sign of things to come?
futurenorth.substack.com/p/momentum-o...
Reposted by JP Spencer
Like the true self parody I am, I wrote a travel feature from Manchester and spent most of it going on about rail investment
on.ft.com/4otjcoL
on.ft.com/4otjcoL
Postcard from Manchester: a Landmark Trust retreat at the heart of railway history
[FREE TO READ] A house that was at the centre of the 19th-century rail revolution can now be yours for the weekend
on.ft.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Like the true self parody I am, I wrote a travel feature from Manchester and spent most of it going on about rail investment
on.ft.com/4otjcoL
on.ft.com/4otjcoL
Reposted by JP Spencer
They should have advertised who everyone was playing for, throughout. Popped it under their names everytime they were in the diary room.
The opportunity for tens and tens and tens of millions of pounds of free advertising for charities, totally wasted #CelebrityTraitors
The opportunity for tens and tens and tens of millions of pounds of free advertising for charities, totally wasted #CelebrityTraitors
I mean the BBC should do a nominal donation to all the charities tbf #CelebrityTraitors
November 6, 2025 at 10:12 PM
They should have advertised who everyone was playing for, throughout. Popped it under their names everytime they were in the diary room.
The opportunity for tens and tens and tens of millions of pounds of free advertising for charities, totally wasted #CelebrityTraitors
The opportunity for tens and tens and tens of millions of pounds of free advertising for charities, totally wasted #CelebrityTraitors
Reposted by JP Spencer
The Liverpool City Region has been growing strongly in recent years – not too far behind Greater Manchester and third in the leaderboard of Northern productivity growth.
But why is this the case? And what can we learn for the UK productivity problem?
Short 🧵
1/5
But why is this the case? And what can we learn for the UK productivity problem?
Short 🧵
1/5
November 6, 2025 at 9:13 AM
The Liverpool City Region has been growing strongly in recent years – not too far behind Greater Manchester and third in the leaderboard of Northern productivity growth.
But why is this the case? And what can we learn for the UK productivity problem?
Short 🧵
1/5
But why is this the case? And what can we learn for the UK productivity problem?
Short 🧵
1/5
Reposted by JP Spencer
Hurrah!
The Liverpool City Region has been growing strongly in recent years – not too far behind Greater Manchester and third in the leaderboard of Northern productivity growth.
But why is this the case? And what can we learn for the UK productivity problem?
Short 🧵
1/5
But why is this the case? And what can we learn for the UK productivity problem?
Short 🧵
1/5
November 6, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Hurrah!
‘We would never have had that without devolution’
Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford, on the investment in transport, skills, regeneration and culture in Bradford.
At @instituteforgovernment.org.uk DevoLab event this morning.
Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford, on the investment in transport, skills, regeneration and culture in Bradford.
At @instituteforgovernment.org.uk DevoLab event this morning.
November 6, 2025 at 2:53 PM
‘We would never have had that without devolution’
Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford, on the investment in transport, skills, regeneration and culture in Bradford.
At @instituteforgovernment.org.uk DevoLab event this morning.
Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford, on the investment in transport, skills, regeneration and culture in Bradford.
At @instituteforgovernment.org.uk DevoLab event this morning.
Reposted by JP Spencer
Points to need to treat LCR, Cheshire & GM to work together to support their shared life sciences & speciality chemicals sectors. Collaborative initiatives like IBIC should help...
news.liverpool.ac.uk/2023/10/06/5...
news.liverpool.ac.uk/2023/10/06/5...
£5m awarded for Industrial Biotechnology innovation - University of Liverpool News
£5m awarded for Industrial Biotechnology innovation
news.liverpool.ac.uk
November 6, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Points to need to treat LCR, Cheshire & GM to work together to support their shared life sciences & speciality chemicals sectors. Collaborative initiatives like IBIC should help...
news.liverpool.ac.uk/2023/10/06/5...
news.liverpool.ac.uk/2023/10/06/5...