Michael Dugher MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, responding to Nick Clegg’s speech at the Northern Futures event, said:

“People in the North won’t be taken in by more hollow promises from Nick Clegg. The record of this Government is infrastructure output plunging by almost a fifth.

“Like the rest of the country, the North is suffering from a cost-of-living crisis. And the number of young people out of work for more than a year in the North of England is higher than the national average.

“Transport infrastructure across the North needs vital improvements. We have said that a Labour Government would make bidders for the Northern Rail franchise understand that we don’t want to see decrepit Pacer trains on the tracks any longer.

“The Lib Dems will be judged by their record of failure - not more empty words from Nick Clegg.  They have broken their promises and backed the Tories to the hilt. People in the North and throughout the rest of the country won’t believe a word Nick Clegg says.”