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29
Jun
Lib Dem MP and Labour mayor clash over transport spending in Harrogate and Knaresborough
Labour mayor David Skaith has hit back at claims by Liberal Democrat MP Tom Gordon that he is failing to secure investment for Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Mr Gordon, who represents the constituency, is campaigning to fully dual and electrify the railway line between Knaresborough and York. He also said last year he would like to see a new train station opened to the east of Knaresborough.
But he has not received ministerial backing and the recent government spending review “failed to provide any meaningful funding for North Yorkshire”, Mr Gordon said.
Speaking after he raised the electrification and dualling issue in Parliament this month, Mr Gordon said:
We were told a Labour mayor would mean the ear of the government – and proper investment as a result. That’s clearly not the case. The government saying they’re investing in the North and Midlands is welcome – but that’s an area of more than 25 million people. We need to see equal investment across that area – not the government picking and choosing who gets it.
North Yorkshire has so much potential – but we’re being left at the starting line. That’s why I’m urging the government to engage with me to improve connectivity and get Harrogate and Knaresborough the investment and support it deserves.
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Skaith, who was elected Mayor of York and North Yorkshire two months before Mr Gordon was elected MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough last year, if he wished to respond to the claims.
A spokesperson said:
Fixing the mess that 14 years of underinvestment in northern transport, which Liberal Democrat MPs were happy to kick start, is Mayor David Skaith's top priority.
The mayor is in regular contact with ministers about the ambition and opportunities in York and North Yorkshire and will always fight to get the best for our region. We are awaiting further details in the coming weeks on the extent of Northern Powerhouse Rail.
Adult skills
The two politicians also clashed over adult skills spending.
In a parliamentary debate this week about industrial strategy, Mr Gordon blamed Mr Skaith for a £90,000 reduction in its devolved adult skills budget at Harrogate College.
Funding for adult education and skills was devolved from central government to the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, which the mayor overseas, when it was created last year.
Mr Skaith replied:
The reduction in the devolved adult skills fund was made by the Department for Education and affected all combined authorities, the Mayor subsequently made representations to raise his concerns around this. York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority will be supporting adult skills by investing £10.4 million over the financial year.
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