Prime Minister must gain levels its northern border at pace

The Northern Research Group has stated that Boris Johnson has to start delivering an ambitious levelling-up programme for the north of England ‘at pace’.

The number of 50 Conservative MPs, founded by a number of Conservatives who won so-called red wall seats from Labour in the 2021 General Election, is looking for an economic strategy focused on helping communities in the North rebuild following the pandemic.

A recent study through the Northern Health Science Alliance found its northern border continues to be hit harder than the rest of England during coronavirus, ‘exacerbating’ regional inequalities.

Jake Berry, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, asserted the Prime Minister relies for his majority in Parliament on votes in the North and there's now a chance to encourage investment, jobs and industry there.

The group is calling for automatic grants to help deprived areas outside London, the formation of a northern growth board and – as part of a plan for better transport – the abolition of road tax and fuel duty, to be substituted for a method under which revenue raised would be held in its northern border.