Marcus Johns

Former Senior Research Fellow @IPPRNorth, thinking up bold ideas for the North. Now found at @CllrMarcus

[Marcus Johns @MarcusIPPR]

My time at @IPPRNorth has now come to an end. It’s been a brilliant seven years!

What a fantastic group of people working to change the world for the better. I’ll miss them all.

You can keep up with me and what I’m up to next at @CllrMarcus 👋🏼

[Marcus Johns @MarcusIPPR]

The Bus Services Act has today become law. This is a welcome day for better buses, and a major step forward for better public transport.

[Department for Transport @transportgovuk]

Our landmark Bus Services Bill has received Royal Assent, enabling thousands of passengers to benefit from more reliable and dependable journeys.

We are putting passengers first by improving access to jobs, education and tourism opportunities which are all vital to growing the economy – a fundamental part of our Plan for Change.

[IPPR North @IPPRNorth]

At Labour Party Conference last week, we heard more about the government's £5 billion Pride in Place fund.

@MarcusIPPR says it is a clear break from historic funding models and shows how the government has learnt lessons to transform places and rebuild trust.

[Bev Craig @bevcraig]

We are all horrified by the abhorrent attack on a Manchester Synagogue this morning. Our thoughts are with those who have died, were injured and everyone affected.

We are working to support our residents and Manchester stands with our Jewish community at this darkest of moments

[IPPR North @IPPRNorth]

“Too much power is held in London, and by unelected quangos, where decision makers hold the future of Northern arts in their hands"

We have united with North East Mayor and Chair of The Great North @KiMcGuinness to call out our regional culture chasm ⤵️

[Ryan Swift @RyanSwift93]

Great to see our @IPPRNorth State of the North findings on regional inequalities in culture funding being picked up by the @yorkshirepost who highlight the important role that culture can play socially and economically across the region.

https://t.co/ytbRXQe3RG

[IPPR North @IPPRNorth]

🚨 Today we publish State of the North 2025 🚨

The North gets just half as much arts and culture funding per person as London. We reveal the impact this & other regional divides have on young people, and what must change 👇

https://t.co/G4VvCpObew

[Professor Katy Shaw @ProfKatyShaw]

Great to see our @ahrcpress #CreativeCommunities research profiled by the 2025 State of the North report 👀

Cultural Chasm between SE & the rest of 🇬🇧 can only be closed by cultural #devolution & mandating ALBs to reorientate and work regionally with & within Mayoral areas

[Ryan Swift @RyanSwift93]

Young people today have endured stagnation and seen opportunity limited. But young people in the North are being hit twice as hard – faced with entrenched regional inequalities.

This year’s @IPPRNorth State of the North report focuses on the challenges for young Northerners.

[Marcus Johns @MarcusIPPR]

📢 strong voices & agency for young people in our democracy & responsive government, acting on their priorities.

This includes votes at 16 and better citizenship/politics education to build lifelong democratic habits.

Handily - that's also in the news... https://t.co/672LQco3IZ

[Marcus Johns @MarcusIPPR]

TODAY @IPPRNorth has published our annual State of the North report. This year - at a pivotal moment for young people - we've been looking at young northerners' starting baseline, opportunity for a good life, and chance to be heard. https://t.co/YqlVPaZU94

[Marcus Johns @MarcusIPPR]

The long-term health of our democracy, our society, and our economy demands that we address this.

We argue for:
🧒 better baselines for young northerners, including health & education
☀️ access to a good life for young people, including fairer investment in culture & green space

[Rosie Lockwood @Rosie_Lockwood]

Today I’ve published an intervention @IPPRNorth on visitor levies 🏨

Backed by calls from Mayors like @SouthYorksMayor & @DSkaith, the @yorkshirepost says it puts pressure on Rachel Reeves to hand over the power to Mayors 🧵

[IPPR North @IPPRNorth]

📢 Today we publish an intervention - including polling with @Moreincommon_ - showing Brits support visitor levies

💡 Visitor levy devolution could give Mayors & Councils a new tool to invest in their local areas. It's an idea whose time has come

🔗 https://t.co/GRn0qtkAOS

[Department for Business and Trade @biztradegovuk]

It’s here.

Read our strategy: https://t.co/ozBQaQavWR

[henrimurison.bsky.social @henrimurison]

Today @RBullockITV covered the issue of how to pay for improving public transport #NorthYorkshire - alongside the govt bus fare cap & funding for a rural franchising pilot at @NP_Partnership we believe a tourism levy on overnight stays could also contribute towards more subsidy

[IPPR North @IPPRNorth]

Missed our event this week on the future of buses, with Minister @simonlightwood and Mayor @MetroMayorSteve?

Have no fear! You can still get your #BetterBuses policy fix by reading our new research report here ⤵️

https://t.co/vN84YO8t1v

[Marcus Johns @MarcusIPPR]

5. There is inadequate capacity/capability across the public sector (Broader, deeper devo really key in fixing this one)
6. Government business cases have not been transparent.

[Marcus Johns @MarcusIPPR]

For too long, Treasury undervalued places' potential. This is a challenge for a govt wanting deliver growth, security & renewal in all parts of the country. Today's green book review signals a good shift in approach, reflecting @IPPRNorth contribution.
https://t.co/cdR7Qc6J8h

[Marcus Johns @MarcusIPPR]

Those findings are:
1. The green book has not emphasised place-based objectives enough
2. It's innefective at assessing transformational change
3. It overemphasises cost-benefit ratios in decision making
4. It's overly long and complicated