London does pay more taxes, but it also disproportionately sucks in the nation’s talented youth, investment etc.

The government could and should make an effort to spread growth around more.

... the birthplace of the railways cannot seem to build railways anymore, unfortunately.

Growth requires economic/business opportunities, infrastructure that can serve said growth, like-minded people to help manifest said growth, and ... that silly corporate thing, what was it, ah, synergies! Spreading all these things out leads to kick-ass local music scenes, but otherwise helps no one.