Andy Burnham has urged the government to stick to its promise of levelling up the country ‘with a vengeance’ as the north bids to bounce back from the coronavirus crisis.
The mayor of Greater Manchester has warned that regional divides could worsen unless deprived areas which are being hit hardest by the pandemic are given the help they need.
Concerns were also raised that local authorities serving poorer communities, mainly in the north west, have had their government funding cut compared to areas where the virus has been less prevalent.
In Greater Manchester, Salford council’s allocation has fallen by £1.7 million from the first round of funding - despite the city recording the highest recorded death rate in the UK in recent months.