LABOUR MP Graham Jones is to write to Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling or more investment in East Lancashire.

The Hyndburn backbencher and his Blackburn party colleague Kate Hollern said new government figures on deprivation shows the area had been hit hard by government austerity policies.

But Northern Powerhouse minister and Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry said Mr Johnson was committed to levelling up spending on and prosperity in the region.

The politicians were responding to last week's publication of the English Indices of Deprivation 2019 study which measures the levels of poverty in 32,844 neighbourhoods.

The report puts Burnley eighth, Blackburn with Darwen ninth, Pendle 14th and Hyndburn 21st national deprivation rankings of 317 council areas.

Mrs Hollern said: "What stands out most clearly is that the North has lost out year in year out since 2010.

"It doesn’t take a genius to spot that the areas that have suffered worsening levels of poverty are the areas where council budgets have been cut the most."

Mr Jones said: "East Lancashire is being punished by this Tory government.We need massive investment now including in transport. I will be writing to Prime Minister to remind the government of its responsibilities."

Mr Berry said: "Conservatives in government have done more than any other to truly maximise the power of the North.

"Under our ambitious plans, we will go even further to level up our regions and transfer more powers and money from Downing Street to your street."