Andy McDonald MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, commenting on an IPPR report which shows underinvestment in transport in the north, said:

“The underinvestment in infrastructure spending in the north is totally unacceptable. We need to ensure economic growth is spread beyond just London and the South East. Having a balanced economy is good for the UK as a whole but the Government seem determined to invest in London at the expense of the rest of country.

“It’s short-term thinking that means our regions are starved of investment when they have so much potential for growth, and it shines a light on the Government’s self-defeating economic strategy which says that meeting the transport needs of London should come at the expense of our regions.

“Labour would make sure that the transport needs of the South-East are met whilst rebalancing the economy and making the necessary investment in transport infrastructure right across the UK, including prioritising a CrossRail for the North to improve connectivity between our Northern cities.”