Rt Revd Paul Butler told Inspirational Breakfast there was "no doubt" people feel a north-south divide in Britain.
Before the election the Conservatives promised more powers would be devolved to cities around England, and last week George Osborne announced plans for Manchester to have a mayor.
The chancellor has previously pledged to create a 'northern powerhouse'.
Rt Revd Butler said: "I really hope that the promises that were made about new powers for the North East and investment in the North East will prove to be true."
In January figures showed the gap between economies in northern and southern England had dramatically widened in a decade.
A report by the Centre for Cities showed that for every 12 jobs created in southern cities since 2004, just one was created in the north.
The Bishop of Durham will be sworn into the House of Lords on Tuesday.
