Conservative MPs in so-called Red Wall seats have joined a new think tank set up to look at ways to help the North flourish.
Issues the Northern Policy Foundation will consider include the life expectancy - with people in the North of England currently likely to die around three years earlier than the UK average.
Members include Dehenna Davison, the MP for Bishop Auckland.
Hers was one of a number of traditional Labour-voting constituencies that returned a Conservative MP in the December 2019 general election. Others include Blyth Valley, Sedgefield and North West Durham.
Along with other seats in the North West and Yorkshire, they have been called "Red Wall" constituencies, because they were once thought to be solidly Labour. Some Tories now refer to them as the Blue Wall.
The Northern Policy Foundation is led by people with close links to the Conservative Party.
The director is Tom Lees, who previously worked with Cabinet Minister Michael Gove, and the policy programme director is Sean Worth, former head of the Conservative Party's Policy Unit.
Ms Dehenna is a member of the think tank's Parliamentary Council. Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen is also involved.
Other issues the think tank will consider includ bringing more investment for research and development to the North; improving transport, and providing more opportunities for a high level of education.
It will also consider whether the "values and principles of many in Westminster, our intelligentsia and vested interests are at odds with those of the general public and people in the North of England". That will include looking at attitudes to immigration.
The think tank is backed by Mr Gove. He said: "Levelling up the country and ensuring opportunities are spread right across the UK and the North is a key commitment of the Government.
"I welcome the creation of the Northern Policy Foundation, its aims and the work and research it plans to carry out."
