Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner hit out at the Tory government over levelling up today during a visit to Newcastle.
Ms Rayner slammed rising child poverty in Newcastle and cuts to government funding in the North East as she spoke at the opening of the Labour North Conference.
She accused the Tory government of "lying through their teeth" when they talk about levelling up the north.
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And she went on to criticise the party for "smirking and laughing" about alleged lockdown parties while families were skipping meals because they couldn't afford to eat.
Speaking at the opening of the conference, Ms Rayner said: "We know the Tories are lying through their teeth when they say they want to level up the north and all they ever do is take from one hand and give back a little bit in the other.
"Since 2018, Middlesbrough has seen a real terms cut in government funding of nearly £39m, Sunderland £74m, and Durham £118m.
"Is that what they call levelling up? I call it daylight robbery."
Ms Rayner went on to talk about Labour's promise to deliver "security, prosperity and respect" for people in the north if Labour get into power.
Before going on to talk about the devastating levels of child poverty in Newcastle and the rest of the UK.
She added: "Many of you know that I grew up poor, which isn't all that special. It isn't any different to the 4.3 million children in the UK today that live below the poverty line. Let that number sink in - 4.3 million children.
"In Newcastle alone, child poverty rose by 13% between 2015 and 2020. Five years of the Tory government pushing children into poverty.
"And all of them living with the insecurity that poverty brings, without stability, sometimes skipping meals, and often in working households where their parents are doing their very best to make ends meet.
"In this country we have more foodbanks than McDonald's... we're one of the richest countries in the world.
"It's an absolute scandal that the Tories can smirk and laugh about partying with wine and cheese at the same time as our kids are going hungry. Never let them forget that."
The deputy Labour leader opened the Labour North Conference in the absence of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who was unable to attend due the "fast changing" situation in Eastern Europe.
Ms Rayner told those at the conference that Keir felt that he needed to be in London in case the situation "went from bad to worse".
During her speech, Ms Rayner also took the time to highlight Nick Forbes' effort to 'level up' in the North East.
The former council leader announced on Monday evening that he stepping down from his role after he was dealt a stunning blow earlier this month when he was deselected by party members in his Arthur’s Hill ward.
Ms Rayner said: "Long before Michael Gove was talking about levelling up, Nick Forbes was actually doing it. He has been a tremendous champion for the North East and for Newcastle.
"He knew that the Newcastle living wage was absolutely central to improving lives and getting money spent in our local communities.
"Even when the government wouldn't do it, he fought for it and he introduced it in Newcastle."
