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What’s in a place name? Reeves seemed to think plenty in her spending review What’s in a place name? Reeves seemed to think plenty in her spending review
(about 1 hour later)
The chancellor roamed the country from Aberdeenshire to Weymouth, rattling off a rolodex of places along the way The chancellor roamed the country from Aberdeenshire to Weymouth, rattling off a Rolodex of places along the way
Birmingham got four mentions. Derby and Merseyside two.Birmingham got four mentions. Derby and Merseyside two.
During her 45-minute statement to MPs on Wednesday, Rachel Reeves also squeezed in references to Padeswood sidings and Southport pier.During her 45-minute statement to MPs on Wednesday, Rachel Reeves also squeezed in references to Padeswood sidings and Southport pier.
They were far from the only places name-checked.They were far from the only places name-checked.
Whether it was glancing references to MPs’ constituencies or the locations of favoured projects, the chancellor seemed determined to crisscross the country, throwing in names as she went.Whether it was glancing references to MPs’ constituencies or the locations of favoured projects, the chancellor seemed determined to crisscross the country, throwing in names as she went.
Investment in defence “will deliver security… in Aldermaston and Lincoln, in Portsmouth and Filton, on the Clyde and in Rosyth,” she said. Investment in defence “will deliver security … in Aldermaston and Lincoln, in Portsmouth and Filton, on the Clyde and in Rosyth,” she said.
There would be money, the chancellor rumbled on, for munitions “made in factories from Glasgow to Glascoed … Stevenage to Radway Green.”There would be money, the chancellor rumbled on, for munitions “made in factories from Glasgow to Glascoed … Stevenage to Radway Green.”
The nuclear submarine programme would support “thousands of jobs across Barrow, Derby and Sheffield.” The nuclear submarine programme would support “thousands of jobs across Barrow, Derby and Sheffield”.
Small modular reactors would be made by Rolls Royce, a great British company based in Derby.” Small modular reactors would be made by Rolls-Royce, a great British company based in Derby.”
The chancellor praised MPs in Bassetlaw, Whitehaven and Workington and the mayor of the East Midlands, before she turned to the pioneering work taking place in West Burton in Nottinghamshire.The chancellor praised MPs in Bassetlaw, Whitehaven and Workington and the mayor of the East Midlands, before she turned to the pioneering work taking place in West Burton in Nottinghamshire.
Merseyside, Teesside, Humberside and Aberdeenshire were lauded for carbon capture projects, as were the MPs for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes.Merseyside, Teesside, Humberside and Aberdeenshire were lauded for carbon capture projects, as were the MPs for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
British Steel in Scunthorpe had been rescued, she said.British Steel in Scunthorpe had been rescued, she said.
Reeves then rattled through a whole rolodex of other towns and cities. Reeves then rattled through a whole Rolodex of other towns and cities.
Social homes would be built in Blackpool, Preston, Sheffield and Swindon; new buses would take to the streets in Rochdale; new train stations would open in Merseyside and Middlesbrough and mass transit would be provided in West Yorkshire.Social homes would be built in Blackpool, Preston, Sheffield and Swindon; new buses would take to the streets in Rochdale; new train stations would open in Merseyside and Middlesbrough and mass transit would be provided in West Yorkshire.
MPs heard about metro extensions in Birmingham, in Tyne and Wear and in Stockport.MPs heard about metro extensions in Birmingham, in Tyne and Wear and in Stockport.
Doncaster airport was being backed, apparently. As were train lines linking York, and Leeds and Manchester.Doncaster airport was being backed, apparently. As were train lines linking York, and Leeds and Manchester.
More MPs got a pat on the back – among them, those representing Milton Keynes North, Milton Keynes Central, Buckingham & Bletchley, Lichfield, Birmingham Northfield and Birmingham Erdington.
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More MPs got a pat on the back – among them, those representing Milton Keynes North, Milton Keynes Central, Buckingham & Bletchley, Lichfield, Birmingham Northfield and Birmingham Erdington.
“And I can tell the House today,” Reeves continued, “to connect Oxford and Cambridge and to back Milton Keynes’ leading tech sector … I am providing a further £2.5bn for the continued delivery of East-West rail.”“And I can tell the House today,” Reeves continued, “to connect Oxford and Cambridge and to back Milton Keynes’ leading tech sector … I am providing a further £2.5bn for the continued delivery of East-West rail.”
There would be new funding for Padeswood sidings and Cardiff West junction too.There would be new funding for Padeswood sidings and Cardiff West junction too.
Reeves said she had listened to the concerns of the MPs for Mid-Cheshire and Rossendale and Darwen and the mayor of Liverpool city region, Steve Rotheram.Reeves said she had listened to the concerns of the MPs for Mid-Cheshire and Rossendale and Darwen and the mayor of Liverpool city region, Steve Rotheram.
And on it went.And on it went.
Funding to support the fightback against graffiti and fly-tipping would be given to Blackpool South, Stockport, Stoke Central, Swindon North, Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend.Funding to support the fightback against graffiti and fly-tipping would be given to Blackpool South, Stockport, Stoke Central, Swindon North, Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend.
Not to mention Southport pier, Kirkcaldy’s seafront and high street, and Peterborough’s new sports quarter.Not to mention Southport pier, Kirkcaldy’s seafront and high street, and Peterborough’s new sports quarter.
“We have expanded the warm homes plan to support thousands more of the UK’s poorest households … including … homes in Bradford, Rugby and Blackpool,” she told the House of Commons.“We have expanded the warm homes plan to support thousands more of the UK’s poorest households … including … homes in Bradford, Rugby and Blackpool,” she told the House of Commons.
And then, finally, it was the turn of schools. Whether they were in Tower Hamlets, Sunderland, Swansea, Bridgend, Enfield, Leeds or Weymouth, there was more money on the way, she said.And then, finally, it was the turn of schools. Whether they were in Tower Hamlets, Sunderland, Swansea, Bridgend, Enfield, Leeds or Weymouth, there was more money on the way, she said.