A political row has broken out after Warrington missed out on the latest round of levelling up funds from the Government with Labour accusing Tory MP Andy Carter of “delivering nothing for the town.”
While Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols said Warrington had again been “forgotten by the Tories”, her Warrington South counterpart Andy Carter, said Labour had been quick to forget the millions sent Warrington’s way in the first round of Levelling Up, including £42 m to improve public transport and £25m for the Town Deal.
Late on Wednesday night, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities announced that Warrington was unsuccessful in its bid for Levelling Up Round 2 funding that would have provided brand new facilities, jobs, and investment across the town.
The Government instead announced funding for 111 areas across the UK including the Prime Minister’s own constituency in Yorkshire.
Labour politicians in Warrington said £2.1 billion in funding missed Warrington out completely, leaving projects such as the refurbishment of Broomfields Leisure Centre in the lurch.
Ms Nichols said: “Once again Warrington has been forgotten by the Tories.
“I would say I was surprised but then I remember we have had more than a decade of brutal cuts to public services and not to forget the shambles they have left the economy in.
“Imagine if the Government were to hand out cash fairly and consistently to the places that need it most.
“Every community should be given the opportunities and investment they need to thrive.
“When the whole country is facing economic uncertainty caused by 13 years of Tory neglect and decline, this funding could have brought jobs to our town and supported our local economy.
“Instead, we are left counting the pennies while Rishi Sunak’s wealthy constituency gets millions in extra funding”.
Meanwhile, Sarah Hall, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Warrington South weighed in saying: “Warrington wasn’t given a single penny, the Tories have shown us time and time again they just don’t care about us.
“This is just another example showing the Government has the wrong priorities. They just don’t understand.
“Andy Carter hasn’t delivered anything for Warrington South since he was elected apart from crippling the NHS, the cost of living crisis and a flatlining economy. He should be ashamed.”
But Mr Carter hit back saying: “To try and suggest Warrington has received no levelling up money is simply wrong.
“We’ve had £42m to improve public transport, £25m for the Town Deal, £6m for a new school development at Penketh and £7m from the Shared Prosperity Funding. The real question for Labour is what have they done with £42m for new buses and not even placed an order yet?
“Obviously I am disappointed we didn’t get any funding this time around but there will be a chance of getting more funding in the third round of Levelling up money. We’ve certainly had more money in Warrington than most parts of the North West.
“My main focus at the moment is trying to secure £350m for a new hospital for Warrington!”
