Rachel Reeves faces pressure to deliver growth for the North. The region needs investment, but old patterns of funding continue to hold it back.
Manchester: Rachel Reeves is feeling the heat. Labour promised growth, and she needs to deliver it quickly. But the same old approach is holding back the North.
Oxford and Cambridge are getting all the attention. They’ve got great potential, but what about the North? It’s not like they haven’t had investment before.
Take transport, for example. Oxford got a new train station in 2015, and Cambridge followed in 2017. Meanwhile, Manchester was left waiting for upgrades that never came.
In her recent speech, the Chancellor praised northern economies like Manchester’s tech scene. But she didn’t commit any funding for the new train lines the North desperately needs.
Instead, she announced funding for rail links between Oxford and Cambridge. She claims this will boost the national economy, but it feels like the North is being overlooked again.
Just last week, the government promised £1.5 billion to rebuild North Manchester General Hospital. It’s a start, but we need more than just piecemeal support.
What else is on the table? Ms. Reeves backed Manchester United’s plans for a new stadium and homes. But it’s still early days, and no one knows how much support they’ll get.
One positive change could be a review of the Green Book. This might shift how the government decides where to invest, focusing more on the North.
Critics say the current rules favor London and the South East. The North needs investment the most, so it’s good to hear that all regions will get a fair shot.
However, her speech felt like the same old story. Invest in the South for better returns. It’s the easy way out, but we can’t let the North be left behind.
