Farron: Government Must Make Northern Powerhouse A Reality

The government needs policies to back up its words, Tim Farron MP has insisted, following the revelation that the government's 'Northern Powerhouse' plan is unknown to almost three in five people in the North of England.

"Actions speak louder than words", Tim has insisted, stressing that the government needs to announce details of plans to invest in broadband, housing, green energy, and transport infrastructure. Instead, the Conservatives pursue their "obsession" with cutting government spending, which is harming local services.

A recent ComRes survey commissioned by the BBC suggests that 44% of those living in the North of England have never heard of the 'Northern Powerhouse', whilst a further 20% say they have heard of it, but know nothing about it.

Tim said: "If the government is serious about creating a Northern Powerhouse, then it needs proper policies, not just a catchy slogan.

The north of England urgently needs investment in broadband, housing, transport and green energy, but instead of detailed plans to deliver this, there are simply further plans for government cuts.

Here in South Lakeland, essential local services such as Cumbria Police face huge cuts, yet the government has still not announced details of plans to extend access to fast broadband."