Support for Northern Powerhouse renewed

The Exchequer Secretary Simon Clarke is kicking off a nationwide tour in Greater Manchester to pledge further unflinching support to revitalising left-behind areas.

Clarke will visit Bolton, Farnworth and Astley to see how devolution is delivering for people outside of the major cities in the region and explore how the new £3.6 billion Towns Fund can further help secure a bright future.

As part of his tour, he will discuss with local leaders, including Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, how the Treasury has placed support for the Northern Powerhouse project as one of its core objectives, backed up in recent weeks through the focus on transport, crime and health investment across the North.

Clarke said: “The Prime Minister was clear that we want to see success spread across not just our big cities but our towns and rural areas - and it is our priority to support regional growth and prosperity to maximise the potential of places like Bolton, Farnworth and Astley as we leave the EU. As a Northern MP, I know the hunger that exists to change how people view our region – and indeed how we view ourselves and our future.

“Here at the Treasury we will play our part by ensuring Britain gets the world-class infrastructure it needs to boost productivity, growth and quality of life, and I look forward to hearing people’s views. We want every corner of our great nation to thrive, and will deliver a step change in infrastructure investment across the country.

“The Northern Powerhouse - from its bustling, diverse cities, to culturally and industrially rich towns and regions - has our full support and we won’t rest until we have levelled out opportunities and unlocked the potential of every part of the UK.”