THE Northern Research Group (NRG) welcomed the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Boris Johnson to discuss the disproportionate impact Covid is having on communities and the region’s economy.

The NRG is committed to working constructively with the Prime Minister to level-up communities and to build back better out of this Covid crisis.

A representative of the group said: "The Prime Minister's enthusiasm to meet with the NRG, despite being in self-isolation, demonstrates his determination to ensure the North is at the heart of this Government’s agenda and his ambition to “level up” our communities remains a priority.

"We welcome his support for a Northern Economic Recovery Plan to help the North deliver long-term economic change and growth. We also welcome his renewed commitment that the promises made to our constituents in the 2019 General Election will be delivered."