Tories are all talk on revamping Britain's infrastructure, Keir Starmer claims as Johnson to announce school plan

As Boris Johnson attempts to relaunch his premiership with promises to invest in infrastructure to get Britain out of the coronavirus slump, Labour leader Keir Starmer has issued a warning that the record of Conservative-led governments over a decade has been “talk, talk, talk rather than build, build, build”.

In a bid to move the political focus on from the Covid crisis to the recovery, Mr Johnson is set on Tuesday to announce the creation of a Project Speed taskforce to accelerate tens of billions of pounds-worth of investment in railways, roads, hospitals and homes over the next decade.

He is also announcing a 10-year schools rebuilding programme, with more than £1bn allocated for the first 50 projects.

But Mr Starmer has unveiled analysis of the Tories’ last 10 years in power, showing that seven of England’s nine regions saw a reduction in per-capita public capital investment over the period, with all regions seeing a decrease in investment spending per person on health and education.

And he said that many government programmes had failed to deliver the promised investment, such as a £2.3bn Starter Homes Initiative announced in 2015 which produced no new properties.

The Labour leader urged Johnson to commit to a “route to recovery that works for the whole of Britain”, pointing out that government investment per person in areas like Yorkshire, the East Midlands and the South West is less than half that seen in London.

“For much of the country, the Tories’ record on building and investment has been a lost decade,” said Sir Keir.

“Much-hyped plans such as the Starter Homes initiative – which built zero houses despite having £2.3 billion allocated to it – barely even made it beyond the press release. It’s been talk, talk, talk rather than build, build, build.

“Our recovery from the coronavirus crisis needs to match the scale of the challenge. It must be built on solid foundations. It has to work for the whole country and end the deep injustices across the country.

“We are on the cusp of one of the biggest economic crises we have ever seen. The government must immediately prioritise protecting people’s lives and livelihoods. That’s why Labour has called for a back-to-work budget that has a laser-like focus on one thing – jobs, jobs, jobs.”

Mr Johnson’s school rebuilding programme will be targeted at those in England whose physical structure is in the worst condition and will include “substantial” investment in the north and Midlands. The first 50 projects will be named in the autumn, with construction work due to start in September 2021. Another £560m will go towards school repairs in this financial year.

It follows on from the government’s £4.4bn Priority School Building Programme, which has refurbished and rebuilt schools since 2014.

Mr Johnson said: “All children deserve the best possible start in life – regardless of their background or where they live.

“As we bounce back from the pandemic, it’s important we lay the foundations for a country where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, with our younger generations front and centre of this mission.

“This major new investment will make sure our schools and colleges are fit for the future, with better facilities and brand new buildings so that every child gets a world-class education.”

Meanwhile the chairs to two backbench Commons committees wrote to chancellor Rishi Sunak urging him to focus post-Covid spending on initiatives which will contribute towards the battle against global warming.

The Labour chair of the Business Committee, Darren Jones, and Conservative Environmental Audit Committee chair Philip Dunne, told Mr Sunak that the economic recovery package expected to be unveiled in July should be used as an opportunity to accelerate investment on climate adaptation and cutting emissions to net zero.

Mr Jones, said: “From transport to industry to heating, buildings and energy efficiency, there are a series of priorities for action which the UK should pursue if we are to successfully decarbonise our economy.”

Source: UK Politics - www.independent.co.uk