Mission tackling ‘NorthSouth’ divide unveiled

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday unveiled plans to tackle Britain’s long-standing “North-South” divide, appointing former Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane as chief of a “Leveling Up” Taskforce. Downing Street said it was part of a central government mission to level up every part of Britain in which London and the south east are seen as the wealthier regions, compared to the working class areas in north and central England. The initiative is also seen as Johnson’s way of maintaining support for his Conservative Party in the so-called Red Wall areas of northern England.