May's plans to inject £1.6bn into poor towns ‘smacks of desperation,’ Labour charges
Prime Minister Theresa May leaves the Guildhall in Salisbury, Wiltshire, today
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THE government’s plans to inject £1.6 billion into poorer Leave-voting towns and cities “smacks of desperation” with Theresa May eager to get her Brexit deal through Parliament, Labour has said.
About £1bn of the fund is set to be distributed in areas that suffer from disproportionately high levels of poverty and unemployment in England through a means-tested formula, while communities can make specific bids for the additional £600 million.
It is expected that more than half of the money – a “ desperate bribe,” according to shadow chancellor John McDonnell – will be distributed to towns in the north and the Midlands.
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