London still gets seven times as much transport funding as the North East

Five years after the Northern Powerhouse was launched, the North East still receives just £1 in transport funding per person for every £7 spent in London.

New analysis shows by think tank IPPR North shows that the huge investment gap continues.

Researchers said the findings show how vital it is that the Government makes good on its promises of a "step change" in funding for infrastructure projects in the North of England.

Luke Raikes, Senior Research Fellow at IPPR North said: "These figures show that the prime minister must urgently follow through on his promises to invest in northern transport infrastructure and devolve power to the North’s leaders."

The figures are based on the planned transport spending included in the most recent edition of the National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline – a list of the government’s planned infrastructure projects between now and 2033.

It shows how much investment is going into schemes such as improvements to roads, rail and light rail services.

While the capital will receive £3,636 per person, the North will receive just £1,247 per person and within the North, Yorkshire and the Humber will see just £511; the North East £519; and the North West £2,062 per person

Meanwhile, analysis of past transport spending shows that if the North had seen the same per person investment as London over the last decade, it would have received £66 billion more.

The analysis does not include the proposed £39bn Northern Powerhouse Rail or recent overspend on Crossrail, which were not included in the pipeline. Boris Johnson, the new Prime Minister, has announced that part of Northern Powerhouse Rail, a new cross-Pennine line linking Manchester and Leeds, will go ahead.

And IPPR North says this could help ensure the North receives a fair share of investment - if full funding for the project is confirmed.

A separate analysis published by the Government shows transport spending in the North East is £154 per person per year, while in London it is £183 per person per year - a much smaller gap.

IPPR North say the Government's figures are unreliable because they only cover the period up to 2021, and they exclude funding from business rates collected in London.

Mr Raikes said: "The Northern Powerhouse agenda could benefit people across the whole country. Northern transport infrastructure is a national priority.

"The upcoming spending review offers a real opportunity for the government to turn years of Northern Powerhouse rhetoric into reality, and to finally deliver on promises made to the North."

Sajid Javid, the Chancellor, has announced plans for a National Infrastructure Strategy to be published  in the Autumn, setting out long-term priorities. This is likely to confirm part of the funding for Northern Powerhouse Rail.

The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Simon Clarke, said: “The Prime Minister was clear that we want to see success spread across not just our big cities but our towns and rural areas - and it is our priority to support regional growth and prosperity to maximise the potential of places like Bolton, Farnworth and Astley as we leave the EU. As a Northern MP, I know the hunger that exists to change how people view our region – and indeed how we view ourselves and our future.

“Here at the Treasury we will play our part by ensuring Britain gets the world-class infrastructure it needs to boost productivity, growth and quality of life, and I look forward to hearing people’s views. We want every corner of our great nation to thrive, and will deliver a step change in infrastructure investment across the country.

”The Northern Powerhouse - from its bustling, diverse cities, to culturally and industrially rich towns and regions - has our full support and we won't rest until we have levelled out opportunities and unlocked the potential of every part of the UK.”