![\"Chancellor](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_Labour-Party-conference-2025.jpg\")
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves makes a speech during the Labour Party Conference at the ACC Liverpool(Image: Stefan Rousseau\/PA Wire)<\/p>\nThe project has been hit with many delaysChancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves makes a speech during the Labour Party Conference at the ACC Liverpool(Image: Stefan Rousseau\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n
Labour will “push ahead” with Northern Powerhouse Rail, which could create a high-speed rail link between Liverpool and Manchester, the Chancellor told the party\u2019s annual conference<\/a>. Rachel Reeves addressed the main hall at Liverpool Exhibition Centre on Monday afternoon (September 29) and promised the government would move ahead with the railway project, which has been delayed many times<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ms Reeves told the hall<\/a>: \u201cAs well as the Transpennine route upgrade to link Manchester, Leeds and York and the towns in between them, this Labour Government will push ahead with our plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail. Plans never delivered by the Conservatives, plans opposed by Reform, but backed by this Labour Government.<\/p>\n \u201cA vote of confidence in the north of England to get people to work, to connect families, to create jobs and to build prosperity in towns and cities scarred by underinvestment for far too long.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is what we are achieving together: a Labour Government, working with our Labour leaders around the country, delivering for working people.\u201d<\/p>\n The Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) project would see new lines developed across the major cities of the north – including a new line between Liverpool and Manchester<\/a>.<\/p>\n The project was first proposed by former Tory chancellor George Osborne<\/a> in 2014 before being shelved under Boris Johnson\u2019s<\/a> administration.<\/p>\n Its aim was to boost economic growth in northern England, including through improved rail services between Liverpool and Leeds, which often suffer delays and cancellations.<\/p>\n When former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak scrapped HS2 north of Birmingham<\/a>, some \u00a312bn of its budget was set aside to improve rail journeys between Manchester and Liverpool as part of NPR.<\/p>\n Mayors Steve Rotheram<\/a> and Andy Burnham<\/a> have long argued a new line between Liverpool and could hugely boost the economic growth of their respective city regions – and the wider north of the country.<\/p>\n They believe the project could deliver a \u00a315bn boost to the economy and support 22,000 jobs during the construction phase alone.<\/p>\n Both mayors travelled to London earlier this year to make the case for this investment, with the Liverpool ECHO and the Manchester Evening News joining forces to back those calls.<\/a><\/p>\n Ms Reeves<\/a> stated in June that plans for the project would be published within weeks, but that didn’t happen. It was expected NPR would be announced at this conference, but that also has not happened, though the Chancellor said the government will proceed with the project.<\/p>\n Ms Reeves’ speech was briefly halted by a pro-Palestine protester<\/a>. The audience member spoke about the \u201cmass starvation of Palestinians\u201d.<\/p>\n In response, Ms Reeves said<\/a>: “We understand your cause and we are recognising a Palestinian state”, after which the hall broke into a round of applause. The Chancellor continued<\/a>: “We’re now a party in government, not a party of protest.”<\/p>\n![\"Mayor](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1759150453_236_0_Mayor-of-Greater-Manchester-Andy-Burnhamand-Mayor-of-Liverpool-City-Region-Steve-Rotheram-pledge-t.jpeg\")
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham (left) and Mayor of Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram at Rainhill Station(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n