Northern mayors urge Rachel Reeves to fund Northern Powerhouse Rail in Budget
The North’s mayors and council leaders have written to Rachel Reeves ahead of the Budget demanding the implementation of Northern Powerhouse Rail in full.
The Great North, a coalition which includes Yorkshire’s four mayors as well as Greater Manchester’s Andy Burnham, have made three key asks of the Chancellor ahead of her 26 November statement.
They say: “This letter highlights three areas where we, as the Great North, speak with one voice.
“These are priorities that transcend boundaries and reflect a shared ambition to tackle poverty, grow our economies, and deliver opportunity for all.”
The first is for Northern Powerhouse Rail, the long-awaited high-speed line to connect the North of England’s great cities, to be delivered in full.
This would be a new line from Liverpool to Manchester, via Manchester Airport, which would continue onwards to Huddersfield and Leeds through a new station in Bradford.
The letter also calls for the electrification of the Leeds to Sheffield line, and the reopening of the Leamside Line to ensure effective services through to Sheffield, Hull and the North East.
Ms Reeves initially revealed her intention to announce plans for the high-speed rail project at the Spending Review in June.
However, this has been repeatedly delayed, with ITV News now reporting it could be pushed back until 2026.
A Labour source said that there is “no doubt” of Ms Reeves’ commitment, before adding that the Treasury is “not holding it up”.
There have been concerns that the delays could lead to the plans being watered down.
The Great North also called on Ms Reeves to devolve business support and to axe the two-child benefit cap.
In an interview with BBC Radio 5Live yesterday, the Chancellor hinted that this could be on the cards.
“I don't think a child should be penalised through being in a bigger family for no fault of their own,” she said.
“We will take action on child poverty. The last Labour government proudly reduced child poverty, and we will reduce child poverty as well.”
Commenting on the letter, Chair of the Great North, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, said: “The North of England has to be at the vanguard of the Government’s mission to unlock the growth the country and communities badly need.
“That’s why we’re calling on the Government to make game-changing investment in our infrastructure and wholesale reform of business support so we can unleash the potential of people and businesses.
“We stand ready to deliver for UK PLC, and there is no time to waste – so we can create jobs and opportunity for people we represent.”
Tees Valley Mayor Lord Ben Houchen was the only northern mayor not to sign the letter.