northern powerhouse - done today. for mps along the northern powerhouse rail- done today. rhouse rail route done today. for mps along the - northern powerhouse rail route the stakes are high. it northern powerhouse rail route the stakes are high.— stakes are high. if we find a better, cheaper, _ stakes are high. if we find a better, cheaper, more - stakes are high. if we find a - better, cheaper, more deliverable way to— better, cheaper, more deliverable way to get— better, cheaper, more deliverable way to get a better result for our constituents, isn't that a better way to — constituents, isn't that a better way to go? in constituents, isn't that a better way to go?— constituents, isn't that a better wa toao? ~ , ., , way to go? in west yorkshire, badly affected, a way to go? in west yorkshire, badly affected. a very _ way to go? in west yorkshire, badly affected, a very different _ way to go? in west yorkshire, badly affected, a very different view. - way to go? in west yorkshire, badly affected, a very different view. is i affected, a very different view. is affected, a

he promised northern powerhouse| he promised northern powerhouse rail. cularly those that have levelled allegations against senior party members. the number of people on nhs waiting lists in wales has hit another all—time high — and ambulance response times have worsened once more. us actor alec baldwin faces a new lawsuit over a fatal shooting on a film set. lawyers are calling mr baldwin reckless. good afternoon, and welcome to bbc news. the transport secretary, grant shapps, has confirmed that high speed rail lines connecting leeds to birmingham and manchester will be partially scrapped. the shadow transport secretary accused the government of a "great train robbery" by breaking promises to people in the midlands and the north of england. but unveiling the government's intregrated rail plan for england, grant shapps told the commons that journey times will still be slashed and the improvements will be delivered sooner. this will be delivered sooner. unprecedented commitmi build this unprecedented commitment to build a world—class railway that delivers

northern powerhouse - it managed to miss out the future bit. northern powerhouse railr the wider- the potential to be transformational for our area, for the wider north, i for our area, for the wider north, but equally— for our area, for the wider north, but equally as _ for our area, for the wider north, but equally as important - for our area, for the wider north, but equally as important for- for our area, for the wider north, but equally as important for the i for our area, for the wider north, i but equally as important for the uk as a whole — but equally as important for the uk as a whole. that _ but equally as important for the uk as a whole. that is _ but equally as important for the uk as a whole. that is why _ but equally as important for the uk as a whole. that is why we - but equally as important for the uk as a whole. that is why we have i but equally as important for the uk i as a whole. that is why we have been promised _ as a whole. that is why we have been promised things — as a whole. that is why we have been promised things time _ as a whole. that is

he also promised the northern powerhouse rail, promised the northern powerhouse rail. and _ promised manchester to leads, _ rail, and you'll from manchester to leads, and — rail, and you'll from manchester to leeds, and that plan has been ripped up leeds, and that plan has been ripped up for— leeds, and that plan has been ripped up for type _ leeds, and that plan has been ripped up for type one transport group said getting _ up for type one transport group said getting high speed trains from birmingham is a win for the east midlands — birmingham is a win for the east midlands. it birmingham is a win for the east midlands. ., ,., birmingham is a win for the east midlands. ., ., ., , , ., midlands. it also allows us to rorress midlands. it also allows us to progress our _ midlands. it also allows us to progress our flagship - midlands. it also allows us to| progress our flagship scheme, midlands. it also allows us to - progress our flagship scheme, the midlands rail hub, which will unlock ii midlands rail hub, which will unlock 11 million seats along the rail network, allowing us to hav

the plan is also expected to reveal the leads the manchester route under the proposed northern powerhouse railades to the existing infrastructure. bradford is counting on better rail connections for regeneration and some see the idea of dialling plans back as unthinkable. i just cannot believe they would do that. itjust does not make any economic sense. we know that bradford is a young workforce. 137,000 people here. 25% of the population under the age of 16. we are the workforce of the future. in 2019 the prime minister said this. i want to be the prime minister who does with northern powerhouse rail, what we did for crossrail in london. campaigners now feel he is in danger of breaking his promise. there were real commitments made to the north of england by the prime minister, in his first week in office, that northern powerhouse rail would be one of his top domestic priorities. he saw it as key to unlocking the potential of the northern economy. the prime minister needs to deliver in full what the north needs. there are still those who believe hs2 shouldn't be built at all, but the governmen

there is going to be no new northern powerhouse rail line between leeds and manchester, although thatourney will get quicker, the government emphasises. as far as hs2 is concerned, the bit between crewe and manchester will happen, the bit between birmingham and the east midlands will happen. we already know they are building the bit between london and birmingham. and then there will be this new northern powerhouse rail line between warrington, where i happened to be earlier on, manchester and marsden in west yorkshire. the government making the argument that it's cracking on with stuff quicker and more cheaply, but plenty of people saying it's a sell—out and plenty of people in the north of england reckoning they are not getting what they hoped to get. shall we hear from somebody in the north of england? yeah, one of those people who's a little bit annoyed is the labour mayor of west yorkshire, tracy brabin. it is a betrayal of the north and it's a betrayal of the people i represent in west yorkshire. only what feels like months ago, the prime minister stood in front of stevenson's ro

and then there will be this new northern powerhouse rail line between warrington, where i happened tor on, manchester and marsden in west yorkshire. the government making the argument that it's cracking on with stuff quicker and more cheaply, but plenty of people saying it's a sell—out and plenty of people in the north of england reckoning they are not getting what they hoped to get. shall we hear from somebody in the north of england? yeah, one of those people who's a little bit annoyed is the labour mayor of west yorkshire, tracy brabin. it is a betrayal of the north and it's a betrayal of the people i represent in west yorkshire. only what feels like months ago, the prime minister stood in front of stevenson's rocket in manchester and promised a new rail line, northern powerhouse rail. the interesting thing about this from a political point of view is that boris johnson and the tories made such a feature of making these big promises to the north of england, and i will always remember the morning after the election, he made this speech and he said, talked directly to people who vote

he also promised northern powerhouse rail, a new, line from manchester to leeds, and that plan has beenns have received more of a welcome some places. so midlands connect thinks this is a win for the midlands because it will take high—speed trains from birmingham to the east midlands but also allows us to progress our flagship scheme, the midlands rail hub, which will unlock 11 million seats along the rail network, allowing us to have quickerjourneys from places like hereford, worcester and other cities up and down the midlands. and opponents of hs2 are celebrating. is it good news or what? yes! _ the railway would have torn right through this village near rotherham. in parts of northern england, though, there is a feeling what could have been a golden opportunity has been diminished. katy austin, bbc news. one city that will definitely lose out is bradford. the city had hoped to be included on the proposed new leeds to manchester line with a station built for the new trains. danny savage has been there getting reaction to today's news. the north of england, a place where new trains run

he also promised the northern powerhouse rail and _ promised the northern powerhouse rail and. hs2 are celebrating. the railway would have torn right through this village. in parts of northern england, there's a feeling what could've been a golden opportunity has been diminished. katie austin, bbc news. this is outside source live from the bbc newsroom. our top story... germany bans the unvaccinated from certain public events as its covid infection rate hits a new high. next week sees the release of a new film, house of gucci, starring the singer lady gaga. it focuses on the turbulent relationship between the one—time head of the gucci fashion house, maurizio gucci, and his wife. patrizia reggiani was jailed for arranging his assassination. lady gaga, who plays patrizia, says she prepared for the role by drawing on the abuse she suffered as a teenager. lizo mzimba reports. it was a name that sounded so seductive. in 1998, patrizia reggiani was convicted of arranging the murder of herformer husband, maurizio gucci of the gucci fashion empire. to play her, lady gaga immersed hers

and borisjohnson has said several times, particularly about northern powerhouse rail that he wants tothe potential for those young men and women who live in the north, who want to stay in the north to fulfil their potential and follow their dreams. not being forced to go elsewhere because there's just no connectivity. they're having to choose universities and colleges as their second and third choice because the connectivity is not there or is too expensive. so it's really important notjust for connection or investment, but also climate change. and we see the chancellor focusing on flights between cities over and above these great infra structure projects. for green, and clean incapable or out of cars and aeroplanes and onto the railway. cars and aeroplanes and onto the railwa . . ~ cars and aeroplanes and onto the railwa . ., ,, , ., cars and aeroplanes and onto the railwa . ., ~' , ., , cars and aeroplanes and onto the railwa . ., ,, i. , . cars and aeroplanes and onto the railwa . . ~ , . ., railway. thank you very much for talkin: to railway. thank you very much for talking to us-

for mps along the northern powerhouse rail route the stakes are high.re deliverable way to get a better result for our constituents, isn't that a better way to go? in west yorkshire, badly affected, a very different view. it is a betrayal of the north and the people i represent in west yorkshire. only what feels like months ago the prime minister stood in front of stevenson's cannot rocket in manchester and promised a new rail line, northern powerhouse rail. no one is questioning the need for better transport links in the north of the country but the row over how to achieve that is becoming more bitter than ever. five metres lined up to conduct ? condemned the decision. steve rotheram, who's the mayor of liverpool city region and jamie driscoll, the mayor of the north of tyne, both accused borisjohnson of breaking his promise to the north of �*levelling up' their rail networks we have been promised things time and time again. in many places said we don't try to deliver a transformation on the cheap. as you just heard we have chosen not to deliver it so

the plan is also expected to reveal the leeds to manchester route under the proposed northern powerhouse railadford is counting on better rail connections for regeneration and some see the idea of dialling plans back as unthinkable. i just can't believe they would do that. itjust doesn't make any economic sense. we know that bradford is a young workforce. 537,000 people here, nearly 25% of the population under the age of 16. we are the workforce of the future. in 2019, the prime minister said this... i want to be the prime minister who does with northern powerhouse rail, what we did for crossrail in london. campaigners now feel this promise could be derailed, and, with it, the idea of truly levelling up the country. one conservative nottinghamshire mp, though, says the improvements which are expected shouldn't be overlooked. the key thing is, if there is investment in our transport links, are those communities that most need that money and support getting some money? is it for hsz or something else is almost a different conversation, isn't it? as long as the investment is there, i think we're

rail. many northern— northern powerhouse rail. ustrated about that. it looks like the thing that might— that. it looks like the thing that might push them over the edge as a last—minute change, really, to the social— last—minute change, really, to the social care — last—minute change, really, to the social care plan that they voted on in september. essentially the government wants to cut about £900 million _ government wants to cut about £900 million a — government wants to cut about £900 million a year from this plan, but it is going — million a year from this plan, but it is going to adversely affect poorer— it is going to adversely affect poorer pensioners, mainly in the north _ poorer pensioners, mainly in the north boris— poorer pensioners, mainly in the north. borisjohnson is definitely facing _ north. borisjohnson is definitely facing a — north. borisjohnson is definitely facing a rebellion in the vote tomorrow. what the backbenchers are hoping _ tomorrow. what the backbenchers are hoping for _ tomorrow. what the backbencher

he also promised the northern powerhouse rail a new line from manchester to leeds and that plan has beenelling up and the government has completely failed and let down everybody in the north and you can't believe a word the prime minister says. it says the £96 billion investment is the biggest yet and it will do more quicker than the other plan would have. what you say to that? i see two things about that — you don't have to drill down very long into that £96 million seven to realise that most of that or a good deal of that is money already spent on the bit of the line that comes up into the midlands, so that doesn't hold water. as for the improved speed of times, of course, that's a good thing but if you don't have a new liner, you don't sort out capacity and that is the biggest problem that we have in the north, so that is, i'm afraid, just the tactics of trying to ensure that focus isn't on what has really happened here, which is the breaking of two very important promises. if you cannot level up in bradford, then the whole levelling up agenda is seen for what it really is, which is j

and also the hs three or northern powerhouse rail with— the hs three or northern powerhouse rail with linking up a central and northern cities. in the simple way of looking at it is, _ cities. in the simple way of looking at it is, this — cities. in the simple way of looking at it is, this plan will not get the money— at it is, this plan will not get the money and — at it is, this plan will not get the money and the funding, and the high—speed tracks. they're going to id a high—speed tracks. they're going to go a little _ high—speed tracks. they're going to go a little bit so you got the prime minister— go a little bit so you got the prime minister making the case that you'll be able _ minister making the case that you'll be able to— minister making the case that you'll be able to get to sheffield much quicker— be able to get to sheffield much quicker and the h52 line will be extended — but then the h52 line will run _ extended — but then the h52 line will run on — extended — but then the h52 line will run on normal tracks. so it is better— will run on normal tracks. so it is better b

, so—called northern powerhouse rail, so tots _ so—called northern powerhouse rail, so lots of— hose _ would stand to benefit. and one of those places is bradford. we've been looking _ those places is bradford. we've been looking at— those places is bradford. we've been looking at what the scrapping of that plan — looking at what the scrapping of that plan could mean for cities like that plan could mean for cities like that and _ that plan could mean for cities like that and the people who live there. bradford — one city, two stations, and they are at the heart of northern england's train troubles. there are direct services to manchester and leeds, but the journey is slow and expensive. getting from here to leeds, just a ten—mile trip, takes nearly half an hour and it's a journey that passengers want speeding up. i've had to take an uber all the way to manchester to get to an important meeting because the services were delayed, so i feel like we could benefit from less transfers and more direct trains. to be fair, they are not that bad, on time, but they are old trains and they a

and also what has been come to an as a northern powerhouse rail, something that would connect here tos the pennines and many other towns across the way. there is that anger that once again big promises made by government but very little in the way of action. the government says it has come up with a plan to deliver some of those roots more quickly and more cheaply by doing shorter rates that are high—speed and then upgrading existing lines to make them a bit better and a bit faster but once again betrayal is the word that is being used a lot in the station this morning. they feel let down by the government that promised but seems may not deliver. my colleague dan johnson has been taking a look at the detail before that announcement. it's been described as the biggest ever public investment in our rail network, modernising routes more quickly and levelling up cities and regions, the government says. but the integrated rail plan focuses on improving existing lines instead of building new ones. hs2 will connect london with birmingham and manchester, but it now looks like the planned east

we absolutely need that investment, and that's why we need things like northern powerhouse rail to gets and lorries of our road and freight and passengers onto our rails. i've got to ask you then, given that you took such a beating in the northern constituencies at the last election, what is labour going to offer? well, we set out a comprehensive plan for transport. indeed, it was labelled as the most sustainable transport plan that has ever been produced, and it is that kind of initiative which is not only inspirational, addresses the climate challenges, but also means that people in the north for the first time would have the connectivity that they need. they're the kind of things that labour would have set out at the last general election. we're building on that because we really understand the need not only for the connectivity, but the capacity as well. yes, indeed, ilook forward yes, indeed, i look forward to getting my seat on the way home. the european medicines agency confirmed today that covid infections across europe have risen to such a point, we are now in the grip of a fo

the plan is also expected to reveal the leeds to the manchester route under the proposed northern powerhouse railme upgrades to the existing infrastructure. bradford is counting on better rail connections for regeneration and some see the idea of dialling plans back as unthinkable. i just cannot believe they would do that. itjust does not make any economic sense. we know that bradford is a young workforce. 137,000 people here. 25% of the population under the age of 16. we are the workforce of the future. in 2019 the prime minister said this. i want to be the prime minister who does with northern powerhouse rail, what we did for crossrail in london. campaigners now feel he is in danger of breaking his promise. there were real commitments made to the north of england by the prime minister, in his first week in office, that northern powerhouse rail would be one of his top domestic priorities. he saw it as key to unlocking the potential of the northern economy. the prime minister needs to deliver in full what the north needs. there are still those who believe hs2 shouldn't be built at all, but the go

he also promised northern powerhouse rail, a new line from manchester to leeds, and that plan's beenived more of a welcome in some places. so, midlands connect thinks this is a win for the midlands because it will take high—speed trains from birmingham to the east midlands, but also allows us to progress our flagship scheme, the midlands rail hub, which will unlock 11 million seats along the rail network, allowing us to have quickerjourneys from places like hereford, worcester and other cities up and down the midlands. and opponents of hs2 are celebrating. is it good news or what? yay! the railway would've torn right through this village near rotherham. in parts of northern england, though, there's a feeling what could've been a golden opportunity has been diminished. katy austin, bbc news. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme: we meet the transgender entrepreneur now living in australia who exposed the difficulties that her community experiences back in malaysia. —— the community faces. benazir bhutto has claimed victory in pakistan's general election,

was so devastating to see the government rip up its promises in relation to hs2 and the northern powerhouse railt train lines. they are lifelines for businesses and commuters. and it's notjust businesses and commuters. and it's not just a businesses and commuters. and it's notjust a betrayal of businesses and commuters. and it's not just a betrayal of the businesses and commuters. and it's notjust a betrayal of the north, it's a betrayal of the economic potential of those regions. denying them the growth that your director—general has championed so effectively, including in his speech this morning. and if we are really serious about improving productivity, then most of all we need to invest in our people. to ensure that they have the skills that are right for the modern economy. after the pandemic and after brexit, we need a national reset. the business community and the political world need to work together. we both have a job to do. thatjob is to remake britain and that means remaking britain's economy so that it's fit for purpose and fit for the future. now, relations between politics and bus

been promised hsz, the that have long been promised hs2, the eastern leg, but particularly northern powerhouse rails credibility is concerned. and credibility is concerned. and this is a prime _ credibility is concerned. and this is a prime minister who says he wants to level up written and this is a part of the country where the conservative party got votes in the last election where they have not received votes before. so as you say it is extremely toxic from a political point of view but in terms of the spend, just on hs2 alone it is estimated to have been a huge overspend partly because this has been going on for such a long period of time and everything is that much more expensive now than they estimated when they began. the cost issue has _ estimated when they began. tue: cost issue has been estimated when they began. tta: cost issue has been in estimated when they began. "tt2 cost issue has been in achilles heel from the get go for the project. on the trouble is it is difficult to keep track of the numbers they were talking about from the initial 2020 5 million sorry, billion, north of camin

nor is northern powerhouse rail between leeds— is northern powerhouse rail between leeds and _ is northerncker, with much, much bigger capacity, for the north and - quicker, with much, much bigger capacity, for the north and for. quicker, with much, much biggeri capacity, for the north and for the midlands — capacity, for the north and for the midlands. and, _ capacity, for the north and for the midlands. and, you _ capacity, for the north and for the midlands. and, you know, - capacity, for the north and for the midlands. and, you know, to- capacity, for the north and for the midlands. and, you know, to sit. capacity, for the north and for the . midlands. and, you know, to sit here in manchester. — midlands. and, you know, to sit here in manchester, the _ midlands. and, you know, to sit here in manchester, the city— midlands. and, you know, to sit here in manchester, the city that - in manchester, the city that probably— in manchester, the city that probably benefit _ in manchester, the city that probably benefit most, - in manchester, the city that i probably benefit most, maybe in manch

he also promised northern powerhouse rail, a new, line from manchester to leeds, and that plan's been have received more of a welcome in some places. so, midlands connect thinks this is a win for the midlands because it will take high—speed trains from birmingham to the east midlands, but also allows us to progress our flagship scheme, the midlands rail hub, which will unlock 11 million seats along the rail network, allowing us to have quickerjourneys from places like hereford, worcester and other cities up and down the midlands. and opponents of h52 are celebrating. is it good news or what? yay! the railway would've torn right through this village near rotherham. in parts of northern england, though, there's a feeling what could've been a golden opportunity has been diminished. katy austin, bbc news. let's get more on this with gareth dennis, who is a railway engineer and writer. thank you so much forjoining us. what do you make of the new plan? i5 what do you make of the new plan? is a betrayal. nothing short than a betrayal. we have seen new grand plans from the government this is

that agenda, for example, last week's decision to scale back major rail projects, like the northern powerhouse railit is a moral mission, and as you get older, the funny thing is, you get more idealistic and less cynical. it's a moral thing, but it's also an economic imperative, because if this country could achieve the same kind of geographical balance and dispersion of growth and wealth that you find in most of our most successful economic comparators, and if all our businesses could reach more balance in their levels of productivity, then there would be absolutely no stopping us, and we would achieve what i believe we can, and become the biggest and most successful economy in europe. the labour leader sir keir starmer is due to address the conference later and spoke of the skills shortage, what labour would do about giving a firm grip on spending. see le aett, giving a firm grip on spending. see leggett, our business correspondence. our top story this lunchtime... a car is driven at high speed in to a christmas parade in the us state of wisconsin, killing five people and injuring more than forty

the northern powerhouse rail line that was expected to run as a high—speed line between leeds and manchesterh will be upgraded and many will see that as falling far short of what the government has promised. there are going to be some significant upgrades, some electrification processes and probably some new lines in this plan on thursday as well. but scrapping the line to leeds and downgrading that plan between leeds and manchester will lead some conservative mps to be nervous about what the government is delivering and will lead to charges from the opposition that the government is not following through on its promises. colletta smith, how will passengers and businesses across the north react to this? tt and businesses across the north react to this?— and businesses across the north react to this? it is a double dose of frustration _ react to this? it is a double dose of frustration for _ react to this? it is a double dose of frustration for businesses - react to this? it is a double dose of frustration for businesses and j of frustration for businesses and passengers depending on planning

the northern powerhouse rail line, that was expected to run as a high speed line between leeds and manchesteristing rail track, which will be upgraded, and many will see that as falling far short of what the government has promised. now, there are going to be some significant upgrades, some electrification processes, probably some new lines in this plan on thursday as well. but scrapping the line to leeds and downgrading that plan between leeds and manchester will lead some conservative mps to be nervous about what the government is delivering, and will lead to charges from the opposition that the government isn't following through on its promises. and our consumer affairs correspondent colletta smith explained how people in the communities affected by hs2 have reacted to the news. how was this news about hs2 going down with the people who might be affected by it? figs down with the people who might be affected by it?— affected by it? as you can imagine, there isn't one _ affected by it? as you can imagine, there isn't one view _ affected by it? as you can imagine, there isn't one view across

the northern powerhouse rail new in high speed between leeds and manchester that would have gone throughvernment would say we're spending a lot of money, almost 100 billion and that is going to lead to vastly improved journey times for many people in the north of england and the midlands as well. but there are tory mps who are really worried that this undermines levelling up, it looks like the government has gone back on some really big promises and there are northern leaders as well who are saying that this is a betrayal, this isn't what was promised and it's going to mean that the region is left behind by some of the economic improvements that are happening elsewhere in the country. the transport secretary grant shapps has been on the airwaves this morning coming out quite strongly to try and back to this plan, to say it's a lot of money and it's going to do a lot to improve rail infrastructure in england. to improve rail infrastructure in encland. ., to improve rail infrastructure in encland. . ., to improve rail infrastructure in encland. . . , england. what we are delivering is mass

because of things that happened last week, for example, when major rail schemes like the northern powerhouse railssion and as you get older. i find — is a moral mission and as you get older, i find the funny thing is you -et older, i find the funny thing is you get more — older, i find the funny thing is you get more idealistic and less cynical~ _ get more idealistic and less cynical. it is a moral thing, but it is also _ cynical. it is a moral thing, but it is also an— cynical. it is a moral thing, but it is also an economic imperative because — is also an economic imperative because if— is also an economic imperative because if this country could achieve _ because if this country could achieve the same kind of geographical balance and dispersion of growth _ geographical balance and dispersion of growth and wealth, that you find in most _ of growth and wealth, that you find in most of— of growth and wealth, that you find in most of our most successful economic— in most of our most successful economic comparators, and if all our businesses _ economic comparators, and if all our businesses could r

the northern powerhouse rail line, that was expected to run as a high speed line between leeds and manchesterlines in this plan on thursday as well. but scrapping the line to leeds and downgrading that plan between leeds and manchester will lead some conservative mps to be nervous about what the government is delivering, and will lead to charges from the opposition that the government isn't following through on its promises. joining me now is mark goldstone, head of business representation policy at the west and north yorkshire chamber. a good afternoon to you. what is your reaction to this news? firstly, a virtual welcome _ your reaction to this news? firstly, a virtual welcome to _ your reaction to this news? firstly, a virtual welcome to yorkshire. - a virtual welcome to yorkshire. initial reaction, if this is true, it will be hugely disappointing. and would bring into question whether the government is actually serious about levelling up. certainly many of the businesses i speak to site this is one of the barriers to economic growth, so we really do need to see this come through. we are w

and what happens now to northern powerhouse rail? nding raised and manifesto commitments reaffirmed. but now hs2�*s eastern leg joins that list of scaled back infrastructure schemes. what replaces it will be revealed on thursday. spencer stokes, bbc news, leeds. lots to look forward to coming up on the programme this morning. the former blur frontman damon albarn will be here, and he'll even give us a performance of one of his new songs. i have been reading through some of the critical acclaim of the album. people saying it is his best work all inspired by... what is it? iceland. the what in iceland? landscape. that is the word i am looking for. sorry about that. we even have a proper piano in the studio. there it is. that is nice, isn't it? we have had that specially cleaned this morning. nina could not resist. we have cleaned it and are ready for day menu will be here later this morning. it is a long time since we have had someone playing live in the studio, a couple of years. i know we had owain with his drum kit but it has been a

henry morri5on, the director of the northern powerhouse the director of the northern powerhou5e partnership saying this amounts to watering down northern powerhou5e rail the overall budget is being 5aved. he says that is unforgettably short—sighted from the treasury, "we were promised a new line between leed5 were promised a new line between leeds and manchester which would've included a stop in bradford where productivity will be held back by willfully bad transport connections." now he says it looks like they'll only get an upgrade which will solve nothing about the capacity problem on this key 5tretch capacity problem on this key stretch of the root. when this plan was suggested, leaked earlier in the week, the plan to scale back their proposals, even some conservative mp5 in the north 5aid proposals, even some conservative mp5 in the north said this looks like they aren't living up to the government's commitments to leveling up government's commitments to leveling up across the north. by the government says this the most cost—effective way of doing that as quickly as possible. cost-effective way of doing that as quickly as possible.— cost-effectiv