Angela Rayner MP, Shadow Education Secretary, commenting on the first report of the Northern Powerhouse, said:

“This report from George Osborne’s think tank is all very well, but let’s not forget that he was a Chancellor in a Tory Government that presided over falling school budgets, a chronic teacher shortage and not enough good school places.

“The Tories’ huge cuts to schools funding will hit schools in the North hard, making the problems highlighted in this report even worse. The Northern Powerhouse means nothing unless the Government is prepared to invest in education, skills and infrastructure.

“Theresa May must take action or the divisions between North and South will become even deeper, with working people paying the price for inequality. The Government must stop undermining our schools’ ability to deliver an excellent education for all by failing to invest in our children’s future.”