The Prime Minister is facing an increasingly bold challenge from the Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester ahead of the party’s conference in Liverpool, which begins on Sunday.
However, BBC News reported on Wednesday night that the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) announcement – initially expected to be unveiled in the weeks after the spending review in June – was to be further delayed amid claims the plan requires more “tyre kicking”.
A Government source told The i Paper it remains “fully committed” to NPR and that the plan will be set out “in the coming weeks”.
But there is growing frustration about the repeated delays on NPR, particularly among Labour’s northern membership.
“We need to be prioritising investment here in a place that’s growing stronger than anywhere in the UK.”
A map of the route of the proposed HS2 North replacement“Andy Burnham is very passionate about this, you can see it from space that he’s not happy with the direction of the government and thinks he has something else to offer, I just think in that context Keir is digging himself a grave,” they said.
“However, with the situation we’ve got at the moment it’s like he’s trying to empower other challengers.
“I think Number 10 needs to find a way to unblock whatever it is that’s blocking it.”
“They [the government] are really conscious of getting it right and I have some sympathy with that,” they added.
square KITTY DONALDSON Burnham's leadership plans could spark a Truss-style financial crisis
Read More
“So I would rather they got it right albeit it’s not easy from my perspective or theirs to be defending that.”
Labour have refused to recommit to the funding and The i Paper understands it is Treasury concerns, rather than objectons from Number 10 or the Department for Transport, that is holding up an announcement.
Labour MP Connor Naismith, who has campaigned for HS2 to be extended to his constituency in Crewe, said: “MPs are frustrated to say the least. There’s an opportunity here for a dividing line.
“One of the most damaging things about Reform’s announcement is – what message does it send to industry?
Henri Murison, chief executive of lobby group the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, added: “The government is still seeking to make a choice about something that is very important and quite complicated and it’s a mess they inherited.
“They really need to decide what the level of investment should be.
“There’s no way of getting out of the choice.
“The business community still has every confidence it [NPR] will happen.”
Hence then, the article about how starmer risks empowering burnham with northern powerhouse rail delay was published today ( ) and is available on inews ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( How Starmer risks ’empowering’ Burnham with Northern Powerhouse Rail delay )
Also on site :
- My Big Family Once Formed the Backbone of My Life. Then, We Discovered My Sister’s Horrific Actions. Now Nothing Is the Same.
- Royal Caribbean Extends Pause at Private Caribbean Resort Through 2026—Here’s What Cruisers Are Getting Instead
- HomeGoods' Gorgeous New Valentine's Glassware Has Shoppers Saying: 'I Need It All'