To give the North the jobs boost it needs, the Government must invest in improving transport links.

That’s the message from senior Liberal Democrats, who have called the Government’s recent U-turn on electrifying northern rail routes a “betrayal”.

New Lib Dem leader, Yorkshire-born Vince Cable MP, said: “HS3 [the route from Liverpool to Hull] should have priority. The Government is investing too little beyond London.

“The north desperately needs more investment - or Britain risks growing ever more divided and unequal.”

Lib Dem councillors across Yorkshire are pushing for more investment to increase jobs.