North of England faces ‘second-best trains’ for 200 years, warns Burnham

Greater Manchester mayor says government's 96bn rail plan will not bring the claimed benefits

The north of England risks being left with second-best" trains for 200 years under the government's 96bn rail plan, the mayor of Greater Manchester has told MPs.

Andy Burnham said while his city would do better than most in the north, the plan would not maximise the levelling-up benefits" ministers claimed it would bring.