Hull MP questions urgency in Whitehall over Hull 2017

Speaking a year after Hull was announced as UK City of Culture 2017, Hull North MP Diana Johnson today questioned the urgency in Whitehall over making it a success.

Speaking in Business Questions to the Leader of the House of Commons, Diana Johnson MP asked: "As a fellow Yorkshire MP, I know the Leader will be aware that's it's a year ago today that Hull was announced as City of Culture for 2017.

"So can we please now have a debate about whether there's enough urgency and joined-up thinking across Whitehall to ensure that this national status for Hull is being used as an opportunity to get national arts, culture and sports events to Hull.

"Secondly, redress the unfair funding balance between the North and the South.
"And thirdly - and most importantly actually - ensure that Hull gets our privately financed rail electrification scheme to Hull by 2017."

The exchange took place today (20 November) in the House of Commons at 11am.