Virus ‘ proves need to level up the North’
Johnson will honour his promises on pipeline of investment, says Shapps
THE CABINET Minister responsible for the Northern Powerhouse has warned that the Government faces “very tough” spending decisions as he insisted Boris Johnson would honour the promises made to the North.
Grant Shapps said Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who yesterday announced billions of pounds in extra help for firms and workers hit by coronavirus restrictions, did not have “infinite resources” at his disposal to aid the region’s economic recovery.
And speaking at The Yorkshire Post Great Northern Conference, the Transport Secretary admitted the pandemic had forced the Government to “redirect resources, people and time to battle this terrible pandemic”.
He said the crisis had stretched the Government and that Ministers “haven’t always got things right” but insisted that the task of ending the huge disparities between the North and South was no less of a priority.
But he said: “By exposing and accentuating existing gaps in our society, by hitting the poorest and neediest most, Covid has just reconfirmed the defining purpose of this Government, the need to level up our country.
“So far from downgrading the Northern Powerhouse project, it
is even more critical that we get on with it than a year ago.”
Mr Shapps said he would be “leading and championing the Northern Powerhouse across Government throughout 2021”.
As it was announced that millions more in funding is to be used to help support tram systems in Sheffield and elsewhere, he said the new Northern Transport Acceleration Council would “get new initiatives up and running quickly”.
Earlier the Government was accused of dithering and presiding over a breakdown of trust with this region over Covid lockdowns by former Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry.
Mr Shapps, who succeeded Mr Berry as the Cabinet Minister with responsibility for the Northern Powerhouse, said fighting coronavirus was the Government’s overwhelming priority.
But he said: “The battle to rebuild from Covid in 2021 is just as important. To get the North’s economy moving again. To get businesses competing and to recover the jobs that have been lost.
“I don’t pretend that the Chancellor has infinite resources, despite the fact that he has approved the [ job- support] programme today.
“Some very tough decisions will have to be taken on spending. But we will honour the promises we’ve made to the North.
“We will accelerate our pipeline of investments to renew the North’s infrastructure, to reconnect and revive towns and communities, to spread opportunity and enterprise.
“We will continue supporting the North’s brilliant innovators, creating the jobs of tomorrow.
“But ultimately, the most fundamental challenge is to ensure the North truly owns the Northern Powerhouse. It was crucial in 2014. It’s doubly crucial today as we build back from Covid.”