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
Rotherham has seen a remarkable rise in its productivity in recent years. From the lowest in South Yorkshire in 2004, by 2023 it had the highest productivity in the area, even above Sheffield.
So what’s going on in South Yorkshire?
Short thread below.
1/6
So what’s going on in South Yorkshire?
Short thread below.
1/6
Reposted by JP Spencer
Local taxation and devolution, in England
🥳 Brilliant news that the government are consulting on giving mayors the power to implement a levy on overnight stays.
📈 More power and resources in places means that communities can take charge of their own destiny.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
📈 More power and resources in places means that communities can take charge of their own destiny.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Levy on overnight trips will help mayors invest in local growth
England’s mayors will be able to invest in transport, infrastructure, and the visitor economy through a new levy on overnight stays.
www.gov.uk
November 25, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Local taxation and devolution, in England
🥳 Brilliant news that the government are consulting on giving mayors the power to implement a levy on overnight stays.
📈 More power and resources in places means that communities can take charge of their own destiny.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
📈 More power and resources in places means that communities can take charge of their own destiny.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Levy on overnight trips will help mayors invest in local growth
England’s mayors will be able to invest in transport, infrastructure, and the visitor economy through a new levy on overnight stays.
www.gov.uk
November 25, 2025 at 4:49 PM
🥳 Brilliant news that the government are consulting on giving mayors the power to implement a levy on overnight stays.
📈 More power and resources in places means that communities can take charge of their own destiny.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
📈 More power and resources in places means that communities can take charge of their own destiny.
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by JP Spencer
I am going to unjustifiably take credit for this:
November 24, 2025 at 9:52 AM
I am going to unjustifiably take credit for this:
Reposted by JP Spencer
Rotherham has been one of the fastest growing parts of the North in recent years. Find out more about this - and the wider South Yorkshire economy - in the thread and post below.
👇
👇
Rotherham has seen a remarkable rise in its productivity in recent years. From the lowest in South Yorkshire in 2004, by 2023 it had the highest productivity in the area, even above Sheffield.
So what’s going on in South Yorkshire?
Short thread below.
1/6
So what’s going on in South Yorkshire?
Short thread below.
1/6
November 23, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Rotherham has been one of the fastest growing parts of the North in recent years. Find out more about this - and the wider South Yorkshire economy - in the thread and post below.
👇
👇
Reposted by JP Spencer
Reposted by JP Spencer
Looks like they *did* get off the bandwagon and put down the handbook.
Rotherham has seen a remarkable rise in its productivity in recent years. From the lowest in South Yorkshire in 2004, by 2023 it had the highest productivity in the area, even above Sheffield.
So what’s going on in South Yorkshire?
Short thread below.
1/6
So what’s going on in South Yorkshire?
Short thread below.
1/6
November 23, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Looks like they *did* get off the bandwagon and put down the handbook.
Rotherham has been one of the fastest growing parts of the North in recent years. Find out more about this - and the wider South Yorkshire economy - in the thread and post below.
👇
👇
Rotherham has seen a remarkable rise in its productivity in recent years. From the lowest in South Yorkshire in 2004, by 2023 it had the highest productivity in the area, even above Sheffield.
So what’s going on in South Yorkshire?
Short thread below.
1/6
So what’s going on in South Yorkshire?
Short thread below.
1/6
November 23, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Rotherham has been one of the fastest growing parts of the North in recent years. Find out more about this - and the wider South Yorkshire economy - in the thread and post below.
👇
👇
Reposted by JP Spencer
'why are Labour banning peaceful protest.'
The peaceful protest:
The peaceful protest:
November 20, 2025 at 12:24 PM
'why are Labour banning peaceful protest.'
The peaceful protest:
The peaceful protest:
Reposted by JP Spencer
Rotherham has seen a remarkable rise in its productivity in recent years. From the lowest in South Yorkshire in 2004, by 2023 it had the highest productivity in the area, even above Sheffield.
So what’s going on in South Yorkshire?
Short thread below.
1/6
So what’s going on in South Yorkshire?
Short thread below.
1/6
November 20, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Rotherham has seen a remarkable rise in its productivity in recent years. From the lowest in South Yorkshire in 2004, by 2023 it had the highest productivity in the area, even above Sheffield.
So what’s going on in South Yorkshire?
Short thread below.
1/6
So what’s going on in South Yorkshire?
Short thread below.
1/6
Reposted by JP Spencer
This is really interesting, JP. Any thoughts as to why Rotherham's productivity started climbing in 2021 specifically? I know that's around the time that the mayoralty got full powers but I'd be loath to claim a direct association...
Read more about the rise of Rotherham and South Yorkshire’s economy in the new post below.
futurenorth.substack.com/p/what-lies-...
6/6
futurenorth.substack.com/p/what-lies-...
6/6
What lies behind the rise of Rotherham?
Understanding the economy of South Yorkshire - and what the future might hold
futurenorth.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:02 AM
This is really interesting, JP. Any thoughts as to why Rotherham's productivity started climbing in 2021 specifically? I know that's around the time that the mayoralty got full powers but I'd be loath to claim a direct association...
Reposted by JP Spencer
Not just Greater Manchester that has a growing regional economy, also Liverpool City region.
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 20, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Not just Greater Manchester that has a growing regional economy, also Liverpool City region.
bsky.app/profile/jpsp...
bsky.app/profile/jpsp...
Rotherham has seen a remarkable rise in its productivity in recent years. From the lowest in South Yorkshire in 2004, by 2023 it had the highest productivity in the area, even above Sheffield.
So what’s going on in South Yorkshire?
Short thread below.
1/6
So what’s going on in South Yorkshire?
Short thread below.
1/6
November 20, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Rotherham has seen a remarkable rise in its productivity in recent years. From the lowest in South Yorkshire in 2004, by 2023 it had the highest productivity in the area, even above Sheffield.
So what’s going on in South Yorkshire?
Short thread below.
1/6
So what’s going on in South Yorkshire?
Short thread below.
1/6
Reposted by JP Spencer
Ever since @jpspencer.bsky.social published the blog about the trains improving the whole system feels like it has fallen apart, even on a morning
November 20, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Ever since @jpspencer.bsky.social published the blog about the trains improving the whole system feels like it has fallen apart, even on a morning
Reposted by JP Spencer
I often struggle to come up with tangible examples of English devolution but this is one. Greater Manchester is doing its own £1bn regeneration investment fund
on.ft.com/43InqRk
on.ft.com/43InqRk
Greater Manchester to launch £1bn public investment fund
[FREE TO READ] City region aims to capitalise on sustained economic growth with first fund of its kind
on.ft.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:20 PM
I often struggle to come up with tangible examples of English devolution but this is one. Greater Manchester is doing its own £1bn regeneration investment fund
on.ft.com/43InqRk
on.ft.com/43InqRk
Reposted by JP Spencer
Ticket touts’ worst nightmare has finally come true in the UK
Ticket touts’ worst nightmare has finally come true in the UK
Government has officially announced ban on reselling for profit, described by minister as ‘no-brainer’
www.theguardian.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:32 AM
Ticket touts’ worst nightmare has finally come true in the UK
Reposted by JP Spencer
This story about a Reform councillor in Northumberland has about three different massive stories in it.
He's accused of ripping off his constituents to the tune of £140k.
He owes his own council nearly £40k in unpaid tax.
His own council is suing him.
He's accused of ripping off his constituents to the tune of £140k.
He owes his own council nearly £40k in unpaid tax.
His own council is suing him.
Blyth Reform councillor Barry Elliott's property firms owe customers £140,000
Property companies owned or run by Barry Elliott owe tens of thousands of pounds to customers.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 8:45 AM
This story about a Reform councillor in Northumberland has about three different massive stories in it.
He's accused of ripping off his constituents to the tune of £140k.
He owes his own council nearly £40k in unpaid tax.
His own council is suing him.
He's accused of ripping off his constituents to the tune of £140k.
He owes his own council nearly £40k in unpaid tax.
His own council is suing him.
Reposted by JP Spencer
Why Manchester should bid for the Olympics <— a new episode of THE ABUNDANCE AGENDA
(Also featuring a fascinating chat with architect Ivan Jordan on the problem with the heritage building system!)
www.abundancepod.com/p/manchester...
(Also featuring a fascinating chat with architect Ivan Jordan on the problem with the heritage building system!)
www.abundancepod.com/p/manchester...
Why Manchester should bid for the Olympics
Plus why the listed building system is not fit for purpose
www.abundancepod.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Why Manchester should bid for the Olympics <— a new episode of THE ABUNDANCE AGENDA
(Also featuring a fascinating chat with architect Ivan Jordan on the problem with the heritage building system!)
www.abundancepod.com/p/manchester...
(Also featuring a fascinating chat with architect Ivan Jordan on the problem with the heritage building system!)
www.abundancepod.com/p/manchester...
Reposted by JP Spencer
Yesterday, we put out a report on the most important issues to voters.
We know that immigration now tops the traditional most important issues question (see below from @yougov.co.uk).
But that doesn't tell the full story.
Here is a rundown of the experiments we did to test this out (A THREAD):
We know that immigration now tops the traditional most important issues question (see below from @yougov.co.uk).
But that doesn't tell the full story.
Here is a rundown of the experiments we did to test this out (A THREAD):
November 17, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Yesterday, we put out a report on the most important issues to voters.
We know that immigration now tops the traditional most important issues question (see below from @yougov.co.uk).
But that doesn't tell the full story.
Here is a rundown of the experiments we did to test this out (A THREAD):
We know that immigration now tops the traditional most important issues question (see below from @yougov.co.uk).
But that doesn't tell the full story.
Here is a rundown of the experiments we did to test this out (A THREAD):
Reposted by JP Spencer
Essential reading from Calum Weir - on findings from some innovative polling from Labour Together.
His words
"Immigration is salient, polarising and important.
Cost of living is foundational, unifying and in some ways, even more important."
labourlist.org/2025/11/immi...
@cwp-weir.bsky.social
His words
"Immigration is salient, polarising and important.
Cost of living is foundational, unifying and in some ways, even more important."
labourlist.org/2025/11/immi...
@cwp-weir.bsky.social
'Bread, circuses, and polling errors: Are we truly measuring what matters?' - LabourList
Pollsters who ask questions that add nuance are rewarded with a richer look at the public’s outlook argues Labour Together's Calum Weir.
labourlist.org
November 16, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Essential reading from Calum Weir - on findings from some innovative polling from Labour Together.
His words
"Immigration is salient, polarising and important.
Cost of living is foundational, unifying and in some ways, even more important."
labourlist.org/2025/11/immi...
@cwp-weir.bsky.social
His words
"Immigration is salient, polarising and important.
Cost of living is foundational, unifying and in some ways, even more important."
labourlist.org/2025/11/immi...
@cwp-weir.bsky.social
Reposted by JP Spencer
In recent weeks I’ve had a theory - that the rail service in the North of England might have improved slightly.
So I looked into the data to see if my hunch accords with reality. Is there a better service? And has public ownership made a difference?
👇
So I looked into the data to see if my hunch accords with reality. Is there a better service? And has public ownership made a difference?
👇
🚆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 15, 2025 at 9:09 AM
In recent weeks I’ve had a theory - that the rail service in the North of England might have improved slightly.
So I looked into the data to see if my hunch accords with reality. Is there a better service? And has public ownership made a difference?
👇
So I looked into the data to see if my hunch accords with reality. Is there a better service? And has public ownership made a difference?
👇
Reposted by JP Spencer
Regularly use trains in the North of England. Mainly the Airedale line.
My own anecdotal experience is also similar: a measured improvement.
Fares complexity remains an issue among the state owned operators: LNER, Northern Trains and TPE.
My own anecdotal experience is also similar: a measured improvement.
Fares complexity remains an issue among the state owned operators: LNER, Northern Trains and TPE.
November 15, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Regularly use trains in the North of England. Mainly the Airedale line.
My own anecdotal experience is also similar: a measured improvement.
Fares complexity remains an issue among the state owned operators: LNER, Northern Trains and TPE.
My own anecdotal experience is also similar: a measured improvement.
Fares complexity remains an issue among the state owned operators: LNER, Northern Trains and TPE.
In recent weeks I’ve had a theory - that the rail service in the North of England might have improved slightly.
So I looked into the data to see if my hunch accords with reality. Is there a better service? And has public ownership made a difference?
👇
So I looked into the data to see if my hunch accords with reality. Is there a better service? And has public ownership made a difference?
👇
🚆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 15, 2025 at 9:09 AM
In recent weeks I’ve had a theory - that the rail service in the North of England might have improved slightly.
So I looked into the data to see if my hunch accords with reality. Is there a better service? And has public ownership made a difference?
👇
So I looked into the data to see if my hunch accords with reality. Is there a better service? And has public ownership made a difference?
👇
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