THE government was accused today of making “seven years of empty promises” of investment in the so-called Northern Powerhouse.

Labour said the Tories have reannounced major rail projects in northern England more than 60 times in the last seven years.

Shadow transport secretary Jim McMahon said: “The government talks a good game about improving the lives of people in the north, but the reality is yet more empty words and broken promises.

“Instead of delivering on the improvements he pledged, Boris Johnson is raising rail fares and forcing a raise in council tax at a time when family budgets are being squeezed harder than ever before.

“If ministers are serious about helping every part of the country recover from the events of the past year, we need to see action — not their trademark bluster and delaying tactics.”

Northern mayors and trade union leaders have also written to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps urging him to rethink the 40 per cent cuts he announced to the region’s budget for rail improvements.

They say the cuts show the government’s empty words over its “levelling up” plans and will hit vital projects including improvements to trans-Pennine rail services, the northern extension of the HS2 project and Crossrail.

The letter is signed by mayors Andy Burnham (Greater Manchester), Jamie Driscoll (North Tyneside), Dan Jarvis MP (Sheffield city region), Steve Rotheram (Liverpool city region) and TUC regional secretaries Bill Adams (Yorkshire & Humber), Lynn Collins (North West) and Beth Farhat (Northern).

Ms Collins said: “While the Prime Minister talks about ‘building back,’ his Transport Secretary is cutting back. And he’s targeting those cuts on the north.”

The Department for Transport have been contacted for comment.