Grants given through the government’s Shared Prosperity Fund were supposed to match EU cash previously handed out to UK regions for development. In reality, the north is £1.65 billion down.
Last month, Boris Johnson questioned whether the higher life expectancy in Ribble Valley when compared to Blackpool is down to “monkey glands” being applied and “royal jelly” being eaten.
Papering over the cracks with crocuses?
Will Tanner said ministers weren't proving themselves "serious about levelling up in the long term".
A committee of MPs warned that levelling up risked becoming an "everything and nothing" policy.
"Levelling up" will fail unless Boris Johnson addresses falling social and health inequalities, Sir Michael Marmot warned.