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Northern transport starved of funds, says IPPR

NORTHERN transport is set to receive over £2,300 less per person than London, according to a study that goes against promises by the prime minister to increase investment.

The government’s planned transport spending for London is almost three times more per head than the north, the IPPR North said.

In Yorkshire and the Humber or north-east England that figure rises to seven times more per person, according to the research based on government figures.

Its analysis said the capital will receive £3,636 in transport spending per person, while the north will receive just £1,247 in planned spending.

The study also suggested that the spending gap had widened over the last decade, with the boost in London being 2.5 times more than in the north.

IPPR researcher Luke Raikes said: “These figures show that the Prime Minister must urgently follow through on his promises to invest in northern transport infrastructure and devolve power to the north’s leaders.”

He said that northern transport infrastructure is “a national priority” and the Northern Powerhouse agenda could benefit people across the country.

Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald said: “The north is held back by government underinvestment in transport and a lack of powers over public transport, including poor rail connectivity and cuts to bus services.

“Labour will build a Crossrail for the north and deliver powers and funding for bus services to close the north-south divide in transport.”

RMT general secretary Mick Cash told the Star: “For years the Tories have left transport in the north to rot despite repeated broken promises and bare-faced lies about the Northern Powerhouse.

“We expect no different from Johnson and his cronies.”

A government spokesman said it is “committed to reversing decades of underinvestment” in northern transport.

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