PENDLE peer Tony Greaves has warned a government minister its ‘Northern Powerhouse’ proposals for regional devolution will leave East Lancs “stuffed”.
He raised the issue of the impact of Chancellor George Osborne’s scheme to give extra powers to Greater Manchester and the rest of the North-West in the House of Lords.
Lord Greaves asked Local Government minister Baroness Williams of Trafford how it would benefit the county.
MORE TOP STORIES:
She replied: “Alongside wider economic growth, Lancashire will benefit from improved transport connections, an enhanced skills base, support for international trade, cultural investment and the opportunity to ask government for more devolved powers.”
However, Lord Greaves told her: “Lancashire is being deprived and stripped of resources: first the councils, then the lack of government investment and now the police.
“Northern Powerhouse iis going to have to cover the whole of the North, not just the big cities that grab everything for themselves? At the moment, we are simply being stuffed.”
Baroness Williams disagreed and listed an array of projects including the Blackburn to Bolton rail corridor, Burnley Centenary Way viaduct work and the East Lancs cycle network.
Lord Greaves said afterwards: “She said nothing to persuade me there is anything for our area in the government proposals.She listed things already happening which are, frankly, peanuts. I stick by my assertion East Lancashire will be simply stuffed.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here