Northern Mayors sign up to charter for a fairer and healthier North for women

Three North of England Metro Mayors have now backed a charter pledging to use their powers to create fairer opportunities across education, work, welfare and health for women in the North of England. 

Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith is the latest to back the Woman of the North Charter,  alongside Mayor of the North East Kim McGuinness and Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin – both of whom signed the charter in person at the Woman of the North Summit earlier this month where it was launched. 

The Charter calls on Mayors to use their powers to create fairer opportunities across education, work, welfare and health for women. In backing the Charter, Mayors commit to raising awareness and mobilising action for women throughout our work, whether it is policy action, public campaigns or developing new services.  

It follows the launch of the impactful Woman of the North report, released by Health Equity North in September 2024, which exposes the vast inequalities faced by women in the North of England. New analysis released recently further shows women in the North of England can expect to live fewer years in good health, are more likely to be unable to work due to long-term sickness and disability and are losing out on £158million worth of wages a week compared to other areas of England. 

David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith said, “The North should be a place where women and girls can live long, healthy lives – without being held back by their geography or their gender. That’s why I’m proud to back the Women of the North Charter and reaffirm my commitment to building a region where everyone can thrive.  

“In York and North Yorkshire, we’re already acting. We’re tackling violence against women and girls – supporting victims, but also addressing the root causes: deep-seated attitudes, inequality, and misogyny. Our transport plans focus on safer, more reliable journeys, so women can travel with confidence. And through our skills strategy, we’re connecting people to opportunity and supporting them into work.  

“There’s more to do – but this Charter is a powerful call to go further and faster.”   

Kim McGuinness, Mayor of the North East, said: “The reality laid bare in this new analysis is unacceptable. It’s a damning reminder of the deep inequalities women in the North continue to face in health, in work, and in opportunity. 

“It’s why I’m backing the Woman of the North Charter and committing to action that creates opportunities and delivers real change. 

“We’re investing in affordable childcare so women can access training and get back into work, introducing travel passes to help jobseekers reach interviews, and bringing buses back under public control to connect communities. 

“These aren’t just policies, they’re lifelines for women who’ve been held back for too long. 

“I’m determined that the next generation of girls growing up in the North will have the same chances, the same health, and the same futures as anyone else in the country.” 

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “It’s a damning indictment of modern Britain that girls born in the North of England can expect to live shorter lives than those born elsewhere. But where successive governments have failed to fix these inequalities, devolution is turning the tide. 

“Here in West Yorkshire, we’ve set up the country’s first ever Women’s Safety Unit to put abusers behind bars; we’re flexing our Adult Skills Fund to support women with caring responsibilities into training; and we’re delivering more and cheaper bus journeys which women disproportionately rely on. 

“Through strong female representation at the regional level, devolution is empowering us to improve the lives of women and girls and create a brighter region that works for all.” 

Hannah Davies, Executive Director at Health Equity North, said: “To have the unequivocal backing of Mayors is testament to the strength of our Woman of the North report and the recognition and commitment to improve the life chances of women in our regions. 

By supporting our Woman of the North Charter, the Mayors are committing to using their powers and influence to do what they can to change the state of play for women in the North of England, as we are very grateful to them for amplifying the importance of this work.” 

View the full charter here.