Ed Balls MP, Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, commenting ahead of George Osborne’s speech, said:
“Nobody will believe the Tories can deliver the jobs, growth and investment we need for the North of England.
"Regional growth divides have widened markedly since 2010. The Tories scrapped Labour’s successful regional development agencies, failed to implement Lord Heseltine’s growth report and are planning to cut infrastructure investment next year. And the important work of implementing the Northern Way taskforce agenda also ground to a halt when the RDAs were abolished.
"On high-speed rail, we said months ago that we need value for money for the taxpayer and to improve the existing plans to maximise the benefits for the whole country and strengthen the links between northern cities. Ministers need finally to start listening.”