Labour's new Government is facing criticism over its infrastructure investment priorities, with many large projects focused on already prosperous areas in the South-East of England. While the party insists on its commitment to regional equality, concerns are raised about whether these investments truly address the needs of less developed regions.
Most of the biggest projects given the green light by the Chancellor are in already prosperous areas across the South of England
The Deputy Prime Minister insisted this was not a sign that Labour was giving up on the idea of redressing regional inequality – instead, she argued, levelling up was a gimmicky slogan invented by the Conservatives which they could never actually deliver on. But it could hardly escape attention that most of the biggest projects given the green light by the Chancellor are in already prosperous areas across the South of England, including the expansion of Heathrow and the creation of a “growth corridor” between Oxford and Cambridge.
Others in Labour are less diplomatic. One Government source said that if it looks like London and the South East are being prioritised for infrastructure investment, then other parts of England as well as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland could “go ballistic”.: “It’s a hugely expensive project in and around London and the South East, not least moving our junction of the M25.
The insider added: “There are significant issues facing the rail sector. Three main projects are soaking up pretty much all of the rail investment – in HS2, the Transpennine upgrade and the East-West rail link . It leaves nothing left other than emergency maintenance.”
Economy LABOUR PARTY INFRASTRUCTURE REGIONAL INEQUALITY LEVELING UP UK ECONOMY
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