Tory government reject bid to deliver investment in Glossop

I have just heard that the Tory government has rejected a bid to deliver much needed investment in Glossop. It is a hammer blow to the town and surrounding communities.

It lays bare the truth that, despite all the rhetoric about “levelling up”, northern towns like ours in High Peak will never be a priority for the Tories.The local Tory MP has failed to deliver on his promises for High Peak. He promised that following his lobbying efforts:

“High Peak has been made one of the top priority areas for the Levelling Up Fund in the whole country.”

Today we can see, despite being a government whip, he has no influence in his own party and his government has no interest in High Peak.

The £20 million bid would have delivered a new leisure centre and wellbeing hub on the Old Glossopdale School site on Talbot Road as well as upgrades to Victoria Hall. The proposals could have been the catalyst for further high street regeneration.

Had the Tory government supported the bid, it would have provided a massive boost for the local economy at a time when we are facing the largest fall in living standards on record and the stagnation of our economy.

The wellbeing hub would also have increased access to healthcare services. This is desperately needed with so many people contacting me about the perilous state of the NHS locally.

The Tories have deliberately created a system of winners and losers – today Glossop and the surrounding communities are the losers.

It doesn’t have to be this way. The next Labour government will give local leaders the powers to drive growth and prosperity in all our towns and communities. Meaning greater prosperity for all not just the chosen few.