The time for talk is over
CHARLOTTE COLE ON TEAR-JERKING REUNION
Overjoyed family are back together
Boy runs to his parents for a cuddle
It felt amazing to hold him again and hear his little voice
WE’RE about to find out whether the Tories truly care about the North.
Up here, people are wary of southern showoffs telling us how many press-ups they can do. We’re more impressed by them putting their money where their mouth is.
But we haven’t seen much of that.
Last week, a report found the Tories spent the last decade taking money out of the North: councils here suffered 20% cuts compared to the England average of 13%.
This left the North more exposed to Covid19. And the economic crisis in its wake threatens to widen the North-South divide.
Without drastic action, the 2020s in the North will be worse than the 1980s.
So, when the PM makes his speech on Tuesday, I will be listening to see if he gets this.
I expect announcements about “shovelready” schemes. But they won’t change many lives any time soon. “Levelling up” needs to be about skin and bone as well as concrete and steel. We need help for people – now.
So let’s have an ambitious Young Person’s Guarantee – job and training opportunities.
Let’s reward the essential workers we’ve clapped with a real living wage and look at a universal basic income. Let’s fix council budgets, build zero-carbon council homes and provide the same public transport as London.
The time for talk is over. The North needs to see action – now.