South Shields had big plans in their bid for £20m of levelling up money.
They turned to dust and local MP Emma Lewell-Buck was naturally incensed, telling voters: “Freeports bid – rejected; towns fund bid – rejected; two levelling up bids – rejected. Levelling up is just an empty slogan.”
Government data shows South Tyneside has the sixth highest rate of absolute child poverty in England.
