Northern Powerhouse Rail

Debate between Sarah Pochin and Jo White

Wednesday 14th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Jo White (Bassetlaw) (Lab)]

As the Secretary of State said, this is evidence that cross-Government working is in action, with the Treasury, the Department for Transport and the MHCLG setting the case, and establishing confidence that the north is open for business as the place to invest, to build and to live. We have a Government who have the self-assurance to shift away from the well-trodden path of growth traditionally centred on London and the south. The record is clear: the Tories under-invested in the north time and again, and Reform has already opposed everything that Northern Powerhouse Rail stands for—

[Sarah Pochin]

No, we haven’t. That’s a lie! [Interruption.]