4 March 2019The Government will today (4th March 2019) launch a £1.6 billion fund to boost growth and give communities a greater say in their future after Brexit.
It says the Stronger Towns Fund will be targeted at places that have not shared in the proceeds of growth in the same way as more prosperous parts of the country. It will be used to create new jobs, help train local people and boost economic activity – with communities having a say on how the money is spent.
To be launched this year, the fund is part of the government’s commitment to build a more prosperous economy that works for everyone. A total of £1 billion will be allocated using a needs-based formula. More than half this share (£583 million) will go to towns across the North with a further £322 million allocated to communities in the Midlands. Communities will be able to draw up job-boosting plans for their town, with the support and advice of their Local Enterprise Partnerships.
Another £600 million will be available through a bidding process to communities in any part of the country. Local communities will be encouraged to come together to draw up proposals to restore pride and create new jobs in their area.
The government will also seek to ensure towns across Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will benefit from the new funding.
This will build on the success of the government’s City and Growth Deals initiatives.
A full list of allocations of the £1 billion can be found below:
Region
Allocation (£m)
North West
281
North East
105
Yorkshire and The Humber
197
West Midlands
212
East Midlands
110
South West
33
South East
37
East of England
25
SLCC is asking if town and parishes will be eligible to apply for the funding.
