Institute for Public Policy Research STATE OF THE NORTH 2021/22

IPPR's purpose is to conduct and promote research into, and the education of the public in, the economic, social and political sciences, science and technology, the voluntary sector and social enterprise, public services, and industry and commerce. [...] In 2021, the UK is still one of the most regionally unequal countries in the developed world – but it is also still dealing with the impact of the ongoing pandemic. [...] The green transition in the North will only work if there is a concerted effort to ensure decarbonisation occurs in tandem with improved 24 IPPR NORTH | State of the North 2021/22 Powering northern excellence life outcomes for people across the whole of the North. [...] This will be the only real measure of both the government’s levelling up agenda and of a just transition to a more sustainable and equitable economy in the north of England. [...] The regional attainment gap and the impact of the pandemic From a very early age, differences in attainment can be seen between the North and England as a whole, with differences emerging in the number of five-year- olds achieving a good level of development.