Skelmersdale promised £20 million by Tories in latest election pledge

Labour have branded the plans "reckless" and "unfunded"

Author: Owen Arands/ Claudia Savage, PAPublished 1st Jun 2024
Last updated 1st Jun 2024

Skelmersdale is one of thirty towns which has been promised extra funding if the Conservative Party win the general election.

The Tories are seeking to paint a positive picture of their record on levelling-up, after announcing a pledge to give 30 towns £20 million, which Labour has described as a "reckless, unfunded" commitment.

As part of the scheme the Tories pledge that local people, not those in Westminster, will decide how the money will be spent.

Other towns in the North West who would benifit from the funding are Preston, Little Hulton, Wythenshaw and Fleetwood.

Meanwhile, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said "wealth creation" is his top priority as the General Election campaign enters its second weekend.

After being cleared of an investigation by Greater Manchester Police and HMRC, Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner is ready to "power up" as she unveils the Labour battle bus on Saturday.

Sir Keir and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves will join Ms Rayner as she sets off on a 5,000-mile journey to battleground seats across the country.

Ms Rayner will brandish the Conservatives' 'levelling-up' pledge as a "phoney gimmick" as data released from Labour claims to expose the areas set to be worst hit if the Conservatives get back into Government.

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