EAST Lancashire MPs have clashed over whether the government’s “Northern Powerhouse” plans unveiled in yesterday’s Queen’s Speech will bring investment to the area or suck cash away from it.
Pendle Tory Andrew Stephenson says devolution of new powers to Greater Manchester will attract more rail investment.
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His Hyndburn Labour counterpart Graham Jones fears the proposals in the government legislative programme will prove a device for resources to be diverted to the neighbouring big city and down South away from boroughs like his own or Burnley.
Rossendale & Darwen Tory MP Jake Berry said the government is open to ideas to devolve powers to other areas such as East Lancashire and he would work to ensure local councils took advantage.
The package of legislation included a Cities & Local Government Devolution Bill to “provide for the devolution of powers to cities with elected metro mayors, helping to build a Northern Powerhouse”.
Greater Manchester will be run by an elected mayor from 2017, with an interim mayor in the meantime.
Architect of the scheme, Chancellor and Cheshire MP George Osborne, wants Greater Manchester to become the blueprint for other large cities. Cities or combined authorities with a directly-elected mayor will get greater powers over housing, transport, planning and policing.
Mr Jones said: “This Northern Powerhouse is not about closing the North/South divide but is a con to allow the government to transfer money to Tory Southern authorities. Giving more resources to Manchester will mean less for East Lancashire boroughs. There is no benefit for Hyndburn, Burnley, Blackburn with Darwen or Pendle.”
Mr Berry said: “George Osborne said he is open to ideas to give powers and resources to councils in areas like East Lancashire to make more decisions. I shall work to make that reality.”
Mr Stephenson said: “The new powers for Greater Manchester will attract investment to East Lancashire. We will see more investment in projects like the Todmorden Curve and the regeneration of Brierfield Mill as a result.”
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