This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-40723993

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Cities in England's north pressing for more money Cities in England's north pressing for more money
(about 9 hours later)
Mayors and council leaders from five cities in northern England will hold a summit with business leaders next month to press ministers for more investment.Mayors and council leaders from five cities in northern England will hold a summit with business leaders next month to press ministers for more investment.
They are concerned that the government has become less committed to the idea of a Northern Powerhouse after David Cameron and George Osborne departed.They are concerned that the government has become less committed to the idea of a Northern Powerhouse after David Cameron and George Osborne departed.
The cities are Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield, Manchester and Leeds.The cities are Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield, Manchester and Leeds.
The Department for Transport (DfT) rejected the suggestion that northern England was being short-changed. Minister Jake Berry said the mayors were "scaremongering" as billions were being spent across the region.
The mayors and council leaders said statements from Transport Secretary Chris Grayling in particular had caused them "confusion and concern".The mayors and council leaders said statements from Transport Secretary Chris Grayling in particular had caused them "confusion and concern".
'TransPennine flashpoint''TransPennine flashpoint'
BBC political correspondent Iain Watson says the flashpoint appears to have been the possibility that not all of the TransPennine rail route will now be electrified.BBC political correspondent Iain Watson says the flashpoint appears to have been the possibility that not all of the TransPennine rail route will now be electrified.
This has been seen previously as a symbol of the government's commitment to the Northern Powerhouse.This has been seen previously as a symbol of the government's commitment to the Northern Powerhouse.
The local government leaders are hoping their summit will put pressure on ministers to re-commit to the project before Parliament resumes in September.The local government leaders are hoping their summit will put pressure on ministers to re-commit to the project before Parliament resumes in September.
A DfT spokesman said more than £1bn would be spent on improving the rail infrastructure over the next five years, and a decision would be taken next year on how to improve journey times and increase capacity on the TransPennine route. A Department for Transport spokesman said more than £1bn would be spent on improving the rail infrastructure over the next five years, and a decision would be taken next year on how to improve journey times and increase capacity on the TransPennine route.
He added that northern English cities would also benefit from the investment in the HS2 high-speed rail link.He added that northern English cities would also benefit from the investment in the HS2 high-speed rail link.
'Widespread anger'
The summit comes after ministers announced their backing for Crossrail 2 - a proposed north-south rail route across London - but said the Manchester to Newcastle rail link may not be fully electrified despite promises from the previous government.The summit comes after ministers announced their backing for Crossrail 2 - a proposed north-south rail route across London - but said the Manchester to Newcastle rail link may not be fully electrified despite promises from the previous government.
Mr Grayling and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan are said to be in agreement that there is "no doubt London needs new infrastructure to support its growth and ensure it continues as the UK's economic powerhouse".Mr Grayling and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan are said to be in agreement that there is "no doubt London needs new infrastructure to support its growth and ensure it continues as the UK's economic powerhouse".
'Widespread anger'
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said there would be "widespread anger" at the decision to support Crossrail 2.Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said there would be "widespread anger" at the decision to support Crossrail 2.
'Kick in the teeth'
Shadow cabinet minister Angela Rayner said: "This is a real kick in the teeth again, showing that the Conservatives don't care about us in the north.Shadow cabinet minister Angela Rayner said: "This is a real kick in the teeth again, showing that the Conservatives don't care about us in the north.
"If we're really going to be a powerhouse across the north then they've got to give us that infrastructure."If we're really going to be a powerhouse across the north then they've got to give us that infrastructure.
"If you look at how much money is spent in London on infrastructure compared to how much money is spent in the North West on infrastructure, there's thousands of pounds per head difference.""If you look at how much money is spent in London on infrastructure compared to how much money is spent in the North West on infrastructure, there's thousands of pounds per head difference."
But Mr Berry, a Northern Powerhouse minister in the communities department, said it was "simply untrue" to suggest the government's commitment to upgrading transport infrastructure in the north and generating investment was waning.
"The Northern Powerhouse is a long term government priority, and we have already agreed ground-breaking devolution deals with several of our great Northern cities," he said.
"The Combined Authority Mayors in the North are symbols of the Northern Powerhouse and we want to work with them to deliver our vision.
"I would expect all of the Mayors to make the most of government investment through devolution and join with us to deliver the next phase of Northern Powerhouse, rather than take part in unnecessary scaremongering."