The underinvestment in infrastructure spending in the north is totally unacceptable – Andy McDonald

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.”