What's happening?

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stands up to make a speech in ManchesterEngland's second city, with a population of 2.8 million in its metropolitan area. It was an important industrial centre during the Industrial Revolution..

What does Sunak have to say to the great northern city?

Sorry, he says, but no trains for you!

For more than 10 years, there has been a plan to build a high speed rail line to Manchester. Billions of pounds have already been spent. Now, Sunak says the HS2 line will end in BirminghamA major city in England. It has a population of more than one million. .

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Many in the north of England are angry. It is not just about train lines. The line was supposed to create jobs in northern cities.

Some think that England's politiciansSomeone whose job it is to be involved in running a country. Politicians try to persuade people they have the best ideas to run the country. are once again thinking of the needs of the South East, where England's capital city London is, instead of the needs of the North.

There has been a divide between northern and southern England for a long time. Many areas of the north are poorer than areas in the south.

Yes! Experts say the divide is getting worse, not better. Britain's leaders must do more to bring money and key services to the north of England.

No! The divide is not getting bigger. The whole of the UK is struggling at the moment. Almost every area is seeing less money spent on it than before.