Telford is to benefit by up to £25m from the Government's £3.6 billion new towns fund, to transform skills and connectivity.
Since her first speech in Parliament, Telford MP Lucy Allan has campaigned for investment in skills in Telford and better rail, road and broadband connectivity in the area, to boost local business, jobs and growth, holding debates in Parliament on this issue and lobbying ministers.
The Local Government Secretary, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP visited Telford last week and met with Telford's MP Lucy Allan, pictured above, to discuss the challenges the town faces.
A total of 100 towns, including Telford, are to benefit from the £3.6 billion fund, which includes places which have a proud industrial and economic heritage, but which have not always benefitted from growth in the same way as more prosperous areas. Local communities, businesses and leaders will join forces to draw up plans to transform their town’s economic growth prospects with a focus on improved transport, broadband connectivity and skills.
Lucy Allan MP said: "Telford is set to benefit by up to £25 million from this new towns fund. I am delighted that Government is listening to us and has acted to help boost our local economy here in Telford. Business, jobs and growth are vital to secure Telford's future; I have campaigned hard on Telford's road and rail connectivity as well as investment in skills which are so critical for our economic growth. I am very grateful to everyone locally who has worked with me on this. This funding helps to secure Telford's future. I am delighted our town will benefit and that our campaigning has paid off. I look forward to continuing to work with local business and our community to use this funding to secure Telford's future."
Local Government Secretary, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, said:
“Ensuring that prosperity and opportunities are available to everyone in this country, not just those in London or our biggest cities is at the heart of the mission of this government.
“We want to level-up our great towns, raising living standards and ensuring they can thrive with transformative investment in transport, technology, skills and culture.
“I will now work with local people from the 100 communities announced today to agree proposals to invest up to £25 million in each place. I hope these deals will provide the investment and the impetus for long-term renewal ensuring each town can look to the future with a new optimism.”
Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth, Rt Hon Jake Berry MP who responded to Lucy Allan's debate on new towns in Parliament, said:
“In July, the Prime Minister promised to level up 100 towns across the country, and today we’re delivering that promise.
“The best answers for local people will come from local people, that’s why we have listened to people living in these towns and will support them with a mega £3.6 billion fund to drive jobs and economic growth.
“Five years on from the launch of the Northern Powerhouse, we are reaffirming our commitment to the people of the North so they have the support they need to be at the leading edge of a confident, global Britain when we leave the EU on 31st October.”
Today’s announcement follows the Prime Minister’s confirmation in July of an additional £1.325 billion to support towns as part of a renewed vision to level up our regions, which took the total value of the new Towns Fund to £3.6 billion.
New Town Deals will improve connectivity, provide vital social and cultural infrastructure and boost growth – with communities having a say on how the money is spent.
