Leaders in the North called upon the Conservative Government and Labour Opposition to commit to placing 'Levelling Up' at the centre of UK law – and to putting an end to the short-term, competitive system in place until now.

It comes after Bolton Council was one several authorities to miss out on the latest round of the 'Levelling Up' scheme last week, with bids worth a total of £40 million for the town centre and De Havilland Way both unsuccessful.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) accepted a number of other bids instead, three of them across Greater Manchester and 15 of them across the North West.

At the Convention of the North today (January 25), leaders from the regions of Greater Manchester, Liverpool City, North of Tyne, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire said this short-term, competitive system is no longer sustainable. 

The Bolton News: Martyn Cox inside the redevelopment of the libraryMartyn Cox inside the redevelopment of the library

They called on Michael Gove and Lisa Nandy, the Levelling Up secretary and shadow secretary who were also in attendance at Manchester Central, to place the idea at the centre of UK law and to trust the regions with the powers and resources to do what is best for their residents.

READ MORE: Bolton misses out on town centre and De Havilland Way bids.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: "The announcement last week laid bare the issues with these short-term, competitive funding pots. 

"We end up with winners and losers but nobody is able to actually plan for long-term investment in their areas.

"To hard-wire Levelling Up into UK law would move us away from policy by press release and start to tackle the unequal living standards we have in our country.

"If we were able to close the gaps between the North and London and the South East, we would see drastic improvements in everything from incomes to skills, to boosting life expectancy. 

"This would of course be good for people in the North, but would also help grow the UK economy as a whole."

READ MORE: All the North West authorities to succeed in Levelling Up bids.

Bolton Council leader Martyn Cox said he supported the call made by Mr Burnham and others.

He last week criticised a lack of 'feedback and guidance' from central government throughout the process of the application, and called the outcome of the application a 'deep disappointment'.

Cllr Cox said: "I fully support the call made at today's Convention of the North for a rethink of the way government money is distributed. 

"Councils understand their own areas better than central government, and should be trusted to deliver the major infrastructure projects that will meet local priorities."