Conclusion 24

The Treasury’s Northern Growth Envoy acknowledged that “it is really hard to agree stuff across the north of England” and that “there are really difficult decisions still to come”.50 However, he said he was confident in the approach they were taking because they had already tested it through the work to agree the programme sequencing and overall approach with the mayors. He expected the approach would be helpful because it provides transparency to everyone about the consequences of decisions.51 This was supported by written evidence from the Liverpool–Manchester Railway Board, which highlighted the government’s commitment to joint working with mayoral combined authorities and “holistic cross-government approach” to programme governance. It said this indicated the programme was being set up for success.52 Working with national and local transport plans and priorities