Tory leadership contender Stephen Crabb pledges '˜immediate' electrification of Leeds-Manchester rail route

TORY leadership contender Stephen Crabb and his running mate Sajid Javid have pledged to kick-start the stalled electrification of the Manchester to Leeds rail route.

The Cabinet ministers want to create hundreds of thousands of jobs by funding infrastructure projects by raising money through government bonds.

They say the TransPennine rail route would be given “immediate finance” in their administration.

Britain needs a plan for growth as well a strategy for pulling Britain out of the European Union, they said.

The Work and Pensions Secretary will install Mr Javid as chancellor if he wins the race to succeed David Cameron.

Uncertainty over Trans-Pennine electrification completion date

Javid under pressure over Yorkshire rail electrification

He said: “Our Growing Britain Fund will get Britain building, create jobs and economic growth. It is right that we focus on our exit negotiations, but we must also think about the steps we should take to take advantage of the opportunities that Brexit can bring.