A SENIOR Labour politician has welcomed the news that the Treasury is considering rewriting rules governing public spending to benefit areas in the north of England.
Cllr Phil Riley said the change could help undo the damage to region done by 10 years of austerity.
The deputy leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Transport of the North board member was reacting to possible amendments to Whitehall spending rules which would make it easier to allocate cash to projects outside of London and the South East.
Current rules require the government to invest in projects promising the biggest economic benefits but under the new plans decisions would be made with a focus on reducing inequality between northern and southern England.
Cllr Riley said: “This is good news. We seem to be heading in the right direction.
“I hope this could undo the damage caused by 10 years of austerity which caused the North/South gap.”
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