Decisions on two bids worth £40 million to 'level up' Oldham have been delayed until the New Year, drawing criticism.

The council submitted these two bids, each worth £20 million, to the government over the summer.

Decisions on these bids were originally due to be made before the end of the year, however, this week MPs received a letter saying all bidders would have to wait until the New Year to see if the applications were successful or not.

Oldham's bid for Oldham East and Saddleworth focused on a business centre at Rhodes Bank called The Green Shoots Centre, a learning centre at Northern Roots and The Oldham Greenway, which would link The Green Shoots Centre, the new town centre Jubilee Park and Northern Roots together for people cycling or walking.

As for Oldham West and Royton, the bid focused on the refurbishment of the Lyceum Theatre and Masonic Hall, additional funding to support the re-opening of the Old Library and a flexible events space at Spindles.

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams' office confirmed she had received the letter from the government and said it was "very disappointing" that local authorities were being made to wait for the decisions.

Leader of Oldham Council Amanda Chadderton said: "This delay is yet another broken promise from this Tory government, and another reminder that they don’t take local government seriously.

"Instead of getting the funding we need to run good services and deliver important projects, we have to bid against each other for money that never comes.

"This from a government that is telling councils to raise Council Tax by 5 per cent just to cover the basics because they lost our money with their disastrous mini-budget for the rich.

"Three years on since the General Election and Levelling Up has proved to be nothing more than an election slogan."

She added that the council had not been told about the delay and had found out through the press.

A government spokesperson said: "With so many high-quality applications we want to take the time to carefully consider the bids to allocate additional funds, meaning up to £2.1 billion will be granted to successful bids in this round.

"We appreciate the work that bidders have put into the applications and we thank them for their patience."

The spokesperson confirmed the decision would be made by the end of January.