13 JAN 2023 · Jonathan Ashworth, Labour's Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, joins Rob Parsons on The Northern Agenda podcast this week to discuss his plans to help people get back into work. The Leicester South MP, who grew up in Greater Manchester, used a major speech to accuse the Conservatives of “disincentivising work” as he sets out Labour’s plans to reform out-of-work support and give those with ill-health help back into jobs. He's promised to devolve more employment support to allow local areas more control over the employment support they want. *** And for the first time, information about sexual orientation and gender identity was included in the Census, giving us a chance to get a sense of the size of the LQBTQ+ communities in our towns and cities across the North. The Northern Agenda's Dan McLaughlin talks to Malcom Struthers from a pride group in Hebden Bridge, the West Yorkshire town with perhaps the biggest gay and lesbian community outside our major cities about their continuing fight for equality in the so-called Happy Valley. *** The Northern Agenda is a Laudable production for Reach. It is presented by Rob Parsons, and produced by Daniel J. McLaughlin. You can subscribe to the daily Northern Agenda newsletter here: http://www.thenorthernagenda.co.uk/

5 JAN 2023 · Hello and welcome to The Northern Agenda podcast - back for 2023 fully refreshed after a Christmas break and ready to take in invigorating new year dive into some of the big politics stories affecting the North. Whilst we want to wish you a Happy New Year, it is not looking terribly happy for Northern town hall leaders. Northern Agenda editor Rob Parsons speaks to Barnsley council's Sir Stephen Houghton, one of the longest-serving local authority leaders in the country, about the bleak forecasts ahead for local government in our region. With 12 years of austerity cuts knocking the stuffing out of many of our local councils, and inflation biting, things could be about to get worse. Sir Stephen discusses the unfair funding system that means people in the North don't get the same public services as their southern counterparts. But a bit of good news, though! It's set to be a massive year for anyone interested in the arts and creativity with the launch of Leeds 2023, a year of culture modelled on the European Capital of Culture. The people behind it say in the next 12 months Leeds will burst into life, fuelled by creativity and the aim of opening more opportunities for more people. Abigail Scott Paul, Director of External Relations and Strategic Partnerships at Leeds 2023, tells the podcast what you can expect from the huge programme of events in the Yorkshire city. The Northern Agenda is a Laudable production for Reach. It is presented by Rob Parsons, and produced by Daniel J. McLaughlin. You can subscribe to the daily Northern Agenda newsletter here: http://www.thenorthernagenda.co.uk/

14 DEC 2022 · This week, The Northern Agenda podcast takes a look at the North's second big by-election in December to elect a new MP. After Labour romped to victory in the City of Chester, can they do the same in the Greater Manchester seat of Stretford and Urmston? Rob Parsons speaks to Local Democracy Reporter Nick Jackson about what's happening ahead of the by-election on Thursday. And when you hear the Government talking about their much-trumpeted concept of levelling up and its benefits to Northern communities, it's a pretty safe bet they'll be looking at Teesside, that's places like Redcar, Middlesbrough and Stockton-on-Tees. One of the few areas with anything tangible to show from the Government's flagship domestic agenda, this former industrial area now has a gaggle of Tory MPs where Labour politicians used to be and a Conservative metro mayor hoping to replace the old steel-making jobs with those powered by clean energy. But are the prospects for Teesside getting any better with all the attention it's had lavished on it by government? Rob asks Karl Pemberton, the managing director of Active Chartered Financial Planners, based in Stockton-On-Tees) and the Chair of the Institute of Directors in the North East (South). He looks after business interests in the Tees Valley so is a great person to give us a balanced view on what's going on there. The Northern Agenda is a Laudable production for Reach. It is presented by Rob Parsons, and produced by Daniel J. McLaughlin. You can subscribe to the daily Northern Agenda newsletter here: http://www.thenorthernagenda.co.uk/

8 DEC 2022 · We're heading out to the countryside for our political guest this week, as the world is going through its worst-ever outbreak of bird flu. In the UK it's been reported that around 600,000 of Britain's 1.2 million free-range turkeys produced annually have died in recent weeks from the current avian influenza outbreak. Northern Agenda editor Rob Parsons speaks to Dr Neil Hudson, a Tory MP from rural Cumbria and the only vet in the House of Commons, about the toll the epidemic has taken on the poultry industry and what we can do to help. *** And we hear about a campaign dedicated to accelerating gender equality and social mobility from the North of England, backed by more than 70,000 people. Northern Power Women's CEO and founder Simone Roche joins Rob on the podcast to discuss the campaign. *** The Northern Agenda is a Laudable production for Reach. It is presented by Rob Parsons, and produced by Daniel J. McLaughlin. You can subscribe to the daily Northern Agenda newsletter here: http://www.thenorthernagenda.co.uk/ (Image: Getty Images)

30 NOV 2022 · This week's podcast is coming to you from The People's Powerhouse Annual Convention. The Northern Agenda editor Rob Parsons is joined by a series of speakers and guests at the 'This is the North' conference, held in Manchester. To discuss the events of the day, as well as what the North needs to progress and thrive, Rob chatted to: ⬆️ Finn Oldfield, media and comms co-ordinator at The People's Powerhouse ⬆️ Edna Robinson, chair of The People's Powerhouse ⬆️ Jonathon Prasad, research associate at the Global Race Centre for Equality, based at the University of Central Lancashire ⬆️ Nicola Lynch, a social impact and social value consultant ⬆️ Beth Abbit, journalist and editor of the Mancunian Way newsletter from the Manchester Evening News ⬆️ Nathan Parker, spoken word artist, who wrote and performed the 'This is the North' poem for the conference The Northern Agenda is a Laudable production for Reach. It is presented by Rob Parsons, and produced by Daniel J. McLaughlin. You can subscribe to the daily Northern Agenda newsletter here: http://www.thenorthernagenda.co.uk/

24 NOV 2022 · As we were recording this week's podcast, the Housing Secretary Michael Gove was up in Rochdale for talks with the local housing association that owned the flat where two-year-old Awaab Ishak died after prolonged exposure to mould. Awaab died in December 2020 from a respiratory condition caused by mould in a one-bedroom housing association flat. His parents, Faisal Abdullah and Aisha Amin, who came to the UK from Sudan, repeatedly complained about the mould and they say they weren't listened to because of who they were. Since the full horrendous details of little Awaab's death, Mr Gove has taken personal involvement in making sure housing associations like Rochdale Boroughwide Housing do more to prevent future tragedies. He has blocked the £1 million in funding RBH was due to receive to build new homes and won't give it any more until it proves it is a responsible landlord. The social landlord's chief executive - who earned £170,000 last year - has been kicked out and its directors have promised to do more to up their game. But is that enough? Before he stepped into the Commons for a debate about Awaab's death, local Labour MP, Tony Lloyd, spoke to The Northern Agenda producer Dan McLaughlin. *** And, as we head into Christmas, there's a present coming down the chimney with Santa for anyone who enjoys swingometers, late night results and canvassing for votes in the cold and wet. The next few weeks will see not one, not two but three by-elections for Parliamentary seats in the North of England, putting Westminster watchers on high alert as they try to assess what it all means for the fortunes of the party leaders. On December 15, we'll find out who will be replacing Kate Green in the Greater Manchester seat of Stretford and Urmston, as she leaves to become Andy Burnham's deputy mayor. And sometime in early 2023, there'll be a by-election in West Lancashire, where the incumbent MP Rosie Cooper is resigning to take up the job as Chair of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. But the first by-election grabbing our attention is in Chester, triggered by the resignation of Christian Matheson after complaints of “serious sexual misconduct” against him - which he denies - were upheld by a parliamentary watchdog. What have these three seats all got in common? They're all held by Labour with pretty big majorities, so it'd be a big surprise if they changed hands. But there's still plenty of local angles to be interested in, so to find out what the big issues at play in Chester, Rob Parsons speak to Mark Smith, a Local Democracy Reporter who covers Cheshire West & Chester. *** The Northern Agenda is a Laudable production for Reach. It is presented by Rob Parsons, and produced by Daniel J. McLaughlin. You can subscribe to the daily Northern Agenda newsletter here: http://www.thenorthernagenda.co.uk/

17 NOV 2022 · Reactions are coming in following the Autumn Statement from Jeremy Hunt on Thursday - and one of those voicing their concern - and indeed, anger - is West of Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin. The Labour metro mayor tells The Northern Agenda editor Rob Parsons why she is "furious" with the Chancellor, believing that her region has been left out by the Treasury. *** It was nearly a year ago that a major report emerged which painted a stark picture of inequality for children growing up in the North of England post-pandemic compared to those in the rest of the country. The massive costs to society and the UK’s economy of rising inequality were outlined in The Child of the North: Building a fairer future after COVID-19 report, written by over 40 leading academics from across the North with the Northern Health Science Alliance. It looked at a wide range of factors, from child poverty to children in care, to build up a picture of the challenges faced by the young people trying to make their way across the region. The report sets out 18 clear recommendations to tackle the widening gap - but did anyone listen? Emma Lewell-Buck, the Labour MP for South Shields in the North East, tells the podcast about a new All-Party Parliamentary Group she is chairing, dedicated to the Child of the North. *** And a big story in London cultural circles in the last few days is the future of the English National Opera. It's currently based in London but Arts Council England, who provide much of its funding, say it will only carry on getting public sector support if it moves out of the capital, possibly to Manchester. The likes of opera singer Sir Bryn Terfel are up in arms but the move is part of a wider move by the Arts Council to prioritise cultural schemes outside London - we've seen projects across the North be names as so-called National Portfolio Organisations for the first time meaning they'll get vital public subsidy to offer arts and culture in our towns and cities. But even before this announcement, 2022 was shaping up to be a really positive year for Northern arts and culture, with a host of new venues either opening or re-opening. The Factory – Manchester International Festival’s new permanent home – is set to reshape the city’s cultural output and standing, and promises “one of Europe’s most ambitious and adventurous year-round creative programmes”. Randel Bryan, Executive Director and Deputy Chief Executive at Factory International, tells Rob about the exciting future for the arts in Manchester and the North *** The Northern Agenda is a Laudable production for Reach. It is presented by Rob Parsons, and produced by Daniel J. McLaughlin. You can subscribe to the daily Northern Agenda newsletter here: http://www.thenorthernagenda.co.uk/

10 NOV 2022 · The Northern Agenda editor Rob Parsons is joined by Liam Thorp, political editor of the Liverpool Echo, to take a look back on some of the big stories in Northern politics. One of which involves Michael Gove, now back in post as Levelling Up Secretary, who is stepping up the government's intervention into Liverpool City Council. Liam gives his verdict on the expanded intervention in Merseyside. And whilst 93% of people went to state schools in the UK, they make up a much smaller proportion of our top professions. Just a third are FTSE 350 CEOs, 35% are senior judges, 43% make up the House of Lords, and just over half are journalists. But there's a pretty new organisation that's joining the fight to level up those numbers. It's called the 93% Club, and it describes itself as a members’ club to rival some of the most exclusive and expensive clubs in the UK. According to their website, they're taking a centuries-old system and repurposing it to change society and tackle social immobility head on. And on Friday this week, it's hosting a big Northern conference in central Manchester. Over a hundred students are travelling to the city for a day of upskilling, networking and community building to show the wealth of opportunities available outside of London and the South East. Imogen Carr, mentoring lead for the 93% club, explains how they want to create an alternative to the 'old boys network' and make it easier for talented young people in the North to break into these top professions. The Northern Agenda is a Laudable production for Reach. It is presented by Rob Parsons, and produced by Daniel J. McLaughlin. You can subscribe to the daily Northern Agenda newsletter here: http://www.thenorthernagenda.co.uk/

4 NOV 2022 · Thousands of young people in England are being groomed, harmed, and even killed because the systems that are supposed to keep them safe are not fit for purpose. That's the damning verdict of a new report by the Commission on Young Lives final report, ‘Hidden in Plain Sight’. The report warns that social care, education, family support, and children’s mental health systems are failing thousands of vulnerable teenagers, costing taxpayers billions, diminishing life chances, and putting some teenagers at risk of grooming, exploitation, and serious violence. The ‘Commission on Young Lives’ launched last year to fight back with coordinated national action to transform the outcomes of the most marginalised teenagers. It's a major year-long independent commission chaired by Anne Longfield, the former Children’s Commissioner for England who grew up in West Yorkshire, who joins Rob Parsons on the podcast this week. And Graeme Whitfield, editor of the Journal newspaper in Newcastle and North East editor of BusinessLive, discusses some of the big politics stories that matter to us in the North, including the uncertain future facing the plans for a massive 'gigafactory' for electric vehicle batteries in Northumberland. The Northern Agenda is a Laudable production for Reach. It is presented by Rob Parsons, and produced by Daniel J. McLaughlin. You can subscribe to the daily Northern Agenda newsletter here: http://www.thenorthernagenda.co.uk/

26 OCT 2022 · With all the attention on drama at the top of government and what it could mean for our economy, the parlous state of the NHS looks like it's barely registering on the news agenda. Speaking in Parliament this week, new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised, among other things, a stronger NHS. But Covid backlogs, record waiting periods in A&E, and unprecedented pressures on ambulance services are just some of the challenges facing the Government, amid fears health service leaders will be asked to make further savings to plug the gaping holes in the public finances. Nowhere are the pressures on the NHS more acute than in Greater Manchester. Rob Parsons speaks to Helena Vesty, the Manchester Evening News' health correspondent, to bring us up to date on how things are in the North's hospitals at the moment. And when most people think of the borough of Scarborough in North Yorkshire, they probably conjure up images like: the famous beach, fishing, penny arcades and maybe Whitby Abbey - the inspiration for Bram Stoker' Dracula. But there's some very exciting work going on turn the area into one of the country's leading areas for cyber-security - which if successful could bring the high-skilled job and opportunity it need to thrive. And it might do something to turn the tide in a borough where educational outcomes are among the worst in the country. Liz Colling, who is Cabinet Member Inclusive Growth at Scarborough borough council, tells the podcast how she wants to turn the area into a "cyber cluster". The Northern Agenda is a Laudable production for Reach. It is presented by Rob Parsons, and produced by Daniel J. McLaughlin. You can subscribe to the daily Northern Agenda newsletter here: http://www.thenorthernagenda.co.uk/