Budget 2021: Sadiq Khan slams Sunak's support for north
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Rishi Sunak announced a huge boost for the north of England in his budget as hundreds of jobs are set to be relocated from London to Darlington under the Chancellor’s Treasury North project. He also announced the first-ever UK infrastructure bank is set to open in Leeds. But Mayor of London Sadiq Khan hit out at the plans and questioned what help London is receiving.
Speaking to ITV News, Mr Khan said: “My worry is the Government appears to levelling up by making London poorer.
“We have suffered the highest number of job losses than any region in the country.
“Our economy has shrunk hugely over the last year.
“If the country is going to fire on all cylinders then they need London to be firing on all cylinders.”
Moving hundreds of Treasury jobs to Darlington proves the area deserves a place “at the top table of Government”, a senior North East Tory has said.
Tees Valley’s elected mayor Ben Houchen welcomed the new Treasury campus, dubbed Treasury North, coming to the region – apparently beating the cities of Leeds, Newcastle and Bradford.
Around 750 jobs are expected to move out of London to the market town and top officials, including Mr Sunak himself, are expected to be regular visitors.
Mr Houchen said: “The most powerful department in Government will soon beat with a Darlington heart.
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“With the incredible announcement that Treasury North is coming to Darlington, hundreds of top Treasury jobs are heading to our region.
“For too long areas like Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool have been left behind and local people could be forgiven for thinking that we were often an afterthought.
“Well, that ends today.”
The move was part of a double triumph for the region in the Budget, along with the Freeport announcement for Teesside.
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Mr Houchen added: “This move will put local priorities and local people from across our area at the heart of Government, as well as creating good quality, well-paid jobs for local people.
“Our children will grow up with the confidence that a top government job is within reach and that such a top career can be built right here in this great region.”
“Over the last 12 months I’ve lobbied, badgered and harassed anyone who would listen.
“From Rishi Sunak and the Prime Minister to senior civil servants and MPs, we deserve a seat at the top table of Government and I’m proud to say that we were able to come up with an offer they couldn’t refuse.
“Our voice was heard. This shows that Rishi is a true Chancellor of the north.”
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