Prime Minister to be urged to produce recovery plan for the North by group of MPs

The Prime Minister will be urged to fast-track a light rail tram system in Leeds and launch a coronavirus recovery plan for the North when he meets with a group of MPs this evening.
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Members of the Northern Research Group (NRG), set up by former Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry, will ask Boris Johnson for a “clear route out of lockdown”.

But amid fears that some MPs are concerned about the Government’s ability to deliver on the levelling up promises of last year’s election, they will also be calling for a bespoke recovery plan for the North.

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Mr Berry, who leads the NRG of more than 50 Tory backbenchers representing north of England constituencies, told Times Radio: “We’ve got three key messages.

Jake Berry leaving Downing Street. Photo: Peter Summers/Getty ImagesJake Berry leaving Downing Street. Photo: Peter Summers/Getty Images
Jake Berry leaving Downing Street. Photo: Peter Summers/Getty Images

“The first is that we need a clear route out of lockdown.

“Many northern communities have been in some form of lockdown since March, with no time off for good behaviour.

“We need a way out of lockdown for northern people in northern businesses.”

Mr Berry said the group would be also calling for a post-Covid recovery plan for the North and for “smaller infrastructure” projects to be signed off by ministers.

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The MP, who represents Rossendale and Darwen in Lancashire, added: “The second thing we’ll be pushing them on is the need for a northern economic recovery plan.

“Covid has dug its claws deeply into the economy of the north of England.

“We need a plan and fund to help us rebuild out of that, not for the North, by the way, but for the benefit of the entire country.

“And then the final thing I’m sure he’ll be pushed on, although it will be for colleagues to ask what questions they want, is this desire to really fast forward some of these smaller infrastructure scenes in the north of England, that can see things like the extension of the tram in Greater Manchester, a light rail tram system in Leeds, the building of bypasses and new homes and things like that.

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“The Government’s already committed to spending all this money on the northern economy. So I think the message will be, let’s go on and do it.”

Mr Berry was a close ally of Mr Johnson’s but he relinquished his Cabinet position in February’s reshuffle, turning down a Foreign Office job due to being a father of three young children.

He came under fire last week after suggesting ballet and opera is enjoyed by many people in the south of England, while northerners prefer football.