The Chancellor of the Exchequer today promised to investigate why Manchester has not received government funding to support victims of the Arena attack .

The government has donated £5m to the Grenfell Tower fire relief fund and is believed to have also paid for the overheads of previous disaster funds, such as those set up after 7/7 and Westminster Bridge attacks.

When the lack of support was raised during an exclusive interview with the M.E.N., Chancellor Philip Hammond admitted: “I wasn’t aware that there was any difference in treatment of Manchester and the victims of the other disasters we have suffered.

“I wouldn’t expect to see Manchester treated any differently from other parts of the country.

“I take on board what you said and I will have a look at it.”

(Image: Sean Hansford)

Mr Hammond praised the efforts of the public in raising £18m for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund supporting the injured and the families of the 22 people murdered in the May 22 attack.

“I am a great supporter of voluntary fund-raising,” he said. “It’s a way in which people across the community, across the nation, are able show their support for victims of an event like this and their determination to stand up to the perpetrators of this kind of criminal activity.”

Mr Hammond was in Manchester to launch a northern charm offensive as he seeks to calm fears the government is weakening its commitments to the region.

He met with Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham , Merseyside mayor Steve Rotherham and Teesside mayor Ben Houchen to discuss boosting productivity in the north.

Government support is being sought from ministers to pick up the administrative costs for the Emergency Relief Fund.

That would partly pay for skilled caseworkers to assess the highly complex needs of some of those left with serious and lifelong injuries suffered in the blast.

However despite months of discussion with the government, including home office minister Sarah Newton, no money has been forthcoming.

Manchester council leader Sir Richard Leese had written to the Prime Minister making a series of requests for support, including asking for VAT to be waived on tickets for Ariana Grande’s One Manchester gig.

The Treasury subsequently agreed to donate the £400,000 VAT receipt to the emergency fund instead of collecting it in tax.

Sir Richard’s letter, dated June 2, also requested that the government cover administration costs.

Theresa May’s response, seen by the M.E.N, said she was ‘committed to ensuring that Manchester and surrounding areas have what they need to care for the victims of the attack’ and agreed to a meeting between the council and Sarah Newton. This meeting has still not taken place.