Could Boris be the first Prime Minister in decades to honour his commitment — and properly invigorate the North?
Northern light
HE promised he would invest in the North. And two weeks into being PM, it seems that Boris Johnson has stuck to his word.
To make it easier to spend outside London and the South East, the Treasury has been re-writing economic guidelines, according to reports.
Future investments will be focussed on reducing inequality between the North and South, as opposed to promoting the UK’s overall economic growth. It’s a start, at least, in tackling the terrible economic divisions in this country.
Take transport. In London, £903 per year is allocated for each person’s transport versus £376 per head in the North. Now this epic injustice looks set to end.
There are also talks of moving huge numbers of governmental jobs outside London. Sites in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would completely alter the landscape of the UK’s workforce.
Johnson knew he’d have an enormous challenge on his hands becoming PM, and having to keep his new army of ex Labour-supporting voters on board.
He promised £100bn of infrastructure by 2025 in the Tory manifesto to make matters even more complicated.
But for all the vicious slurs from his enemies about his honesty, could Boris be the first Prime Minister in decades to honour his commitment — and properly invigorate the North?
BBC on brink
WHO’D a thought it . . . Nearly half of Brits think the BBC needs a major overhaul. And two in three want the licence fee axed or reformed, a survey reports.
Goodness knows what has made them so fed up with the broadcaster.
Could it be the endless panels of Remainers on shows like Question Time?
Or the huge disparity between recent debate audiences, always seemingly woke Corbynistas, and how the nation votes come election time?
Either way, it’s clear that something has gone extremely wrong at the Beeb.
The Tories have promised a review into the licence fee. About time.
Must do better
FOR years, UK universities have been the envy of the world Not for much longer, though.
Some will hand first-class degrees to every student by 2030, as a result of grade inflation, according to new research.
This is a terrible state of affairs, but inevitable. They have become obsessed with bums on seats above academic reputation.
Clearly, universities need a rethink.
Too many youngsters are going while standards deteriorate.
Apprenticeships and entrepreneurship must be encouraged.
With a surplus of graduates, there’s no reason for the UK to keep churning teenagers into a system that urgently needs a review.
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