There was considerable fanfare when the details of the government's £4.8bn Levelling Up Fund were announced in March, with Chancellor Rishi Sunak saying it would 'support investment in places where it can make the biggest difference to everyday life'.
The latest place-based fund, which local leaders across the north have to bid for, will support 'town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects, and cultural and heritage assets'.
But despite similar schemes being marred by accusations of 'pork-barrel politics', the Whitehall department responsible for assessing the bids is keeping tight-lipped about who is actually trying to access the funding. READ MORE:Salman Abedi's brother has left the country, while his childhood
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