CAMPAIGNERS demanding Government aid for New Ferry have slammed a decision to set up a £2.5m fund for businesses and tourism in Salisbury after the Novichok attack as 'morally disgusting'.

The funding was agreed by the Government’s Ministerial Recovery Group and aims to encourage visitors to return to the city in the wake of the attack on March 4 which left double agent Sergei Skripal and daughter Yulia in a critical condition, prompting a major diplomatic response from governments across Europe.

The funding boost is bitter news for Mark Craig, chair of New Ferry Residents' Association, which is trying to rebuild the town more than a year after a devastating explosion.

Twenty five residential properties and four businesses were affected by the blast on Saturday, March 25 last year – which left people homeless and businesses unable to trade.

More than 30 people were injured and taken to Arrowe Park Hospital, Countess of Chester Hospital and Aintree Hospital.

Children were in the Complete Works dance studio just an hour before it was destroyed.

In the year since the disaster, Wirral Council has spent more than £300,000 of its reserves in a bid to help those residents and businesses affected and has drawn up a regeneration plan to rebuild the town.

Prime Minister Theresa May's pledge to provide financial aid was rejected by Jake Berry minister for the 'Northern Powerhouse'. In a letter to the town hall in July last year, he said it is not policy to provide financial assistance for "incidents of the size and impact of New Ferry."

Instead he said the cash necessary to rebuild the town should be met through "existing local resources."

Mark Craig told the Globe today: "I think it's morally disgusting that the Government has given money to Salisbury straight away, but absolutely nothing to New Ferry.

"It's proof that it’s one rule for one and another rule for someone else.

"If this was In London, the Government would give money straight away.

"The other thing is when the Grenfell tragedy happened, a lot of people were made homeless.

"They were each given £5,500 to help with accommodation, etc.

"In New Ferry, 100 people had to move because their homes were damaged. But a year on – no help from the Government. Why should they be treated differently?

"This is clear evidence of a north-south divide and the Tory Government should be utterly ashamed.

"The leader of Wirral Council Phil Davies, our MP Alison McGovern, councillor Warren Ward and regeneration David Ball have written a letter urging the Government for financial help.

"It's time Government listened."

The funding for Salisbury includes £220,000 towards the immediate response to the incident for Wiltshire County Council; £367,500 to provide support to businesses affected by the incident and up to £100,000 to the local emergency fund to support businesses affected and to promote recovery and growth in Salisbury.

There is also £200,000 for tourism promotion and up to £100,000 to help the authority with public health costs associated with the incident.

In addition, the Home Office has agreed £1.6 million in special grant payments for Wiltshire Police to meet the initial exceptional costs of the response – and further funding as the investigation continues.

David Lidington, Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, said: "The people of Salisbury have shown great strength and resilience in the face of a cowardly and indiscriminate act.

"The Government is committed to supporting this historic British city as it recovers and we will continue to do everything possible to help Salisbury moving forward.

"The message is clear: the city is safe and its shops, restaurants and beautiful sites remain open for business."

Wirral South MP Alison McGovern told the Globe: "While my sympathies are obviously with the people of Salisbury, whose lives have been disrupted by this chemical attack, I fail to understand why they Government have given this money and continue to neglect the multiple requests from me, the Mayor, the leader of the council, and the number of residents and business owners in New Ferry who after 13 months are still waiting on any support from the Government, despite promises of assistance.

"I recently met Homes England, the Government housing agency who’ve been given the job of progressing Wirral Council’s plan for the rebuild of New Ferry and I will be meeting them again shortly to get a progress update”.