RISHI: £5BN TO FIRE UP ENGINE OF THE NORTH

RISHI SUNAK vowed last night to revitalise Britain's forgotten regions by pumping almost £5billion into improving transport links.

- Jonathan Walker

The Prime Minister will use cash saved by scrapping the northern leg of HS2 to upgrade roads, rail and bus services in "red wall" areas.

Laying down the battle lines for the general election, he pledged to "fire up the engine of the north once again".

Mr Sunak will unveil details of his plan - aimed at building "a better future for our children and grandchildren" - at a Cabinet summit in Yorkshire tomorrow.

Last night he told the Sunday Express: "Our northern towns and cities have shaped the world nurturing people who have created whole industries, won Nobel Prizes for pioneering research, and written some of the greatest music and literature anywhere on Earth.

"As a northern MP, I think the defining feature of the North is its talent. And as Prime Minister, I'm determined to unleash it.

"That's why I am bringing the whole Cabinet to Yorkshire and the Humber to inject even more energy into our mission to level up our country and fire the engine of the north once again. That starts with supercharging connections between northern towns and cities and we will be announcing an unprecedented transport funding package to do so."

Richmond MP Mr Sunak said the huge transport boost for the North was possible because of his decision to ditch the £19.8billion HS2 leg between Birmingham with Manchester which he insisted would mainly have benefited London.