Rishi Sunak has announced that more than £2 billion will be invested in over 100 projects across the UK through the equalization fund – with £19 million going to his own constituency.
Reinforcing her commitment to get the country back on track, the Prime Minister promised the latest round of funding would “build a future of optimism” by delivering economic growth and new jobs across the UK.
Labor criticized the fund, accusing the government of running a “Hunger Games-style competition where communities are pitted against each other”.
A spreadsheet of the 111 successful bids released by the Department for Upgrading shows £19,008,679 was awarded to a project in Mr Sunak’s Richmond constituency following an application from the local district council.
The document said: “Richmondshire will receive £19 million to transform Catterick Garrison town centre. This includes new walking and cycling routes, a new town square and a new community facility that will host new businesses and a community kitchen.”
Other projects include the Eden Project North in Morecambe, which received £50m for the regeneration project designed to transform the Lancashire city’s seafront.
Also on the list is the Cardiff Crossrail plan, which has received £50m of government funding – and a new roller ferry to Fair Isle in the Shetland Islands will receive £27m.
The Government said the £2.1bn funding was split between £672m to develop better transport links, £821m for community regeneration and £594m to restore local heritage sites.
However, projects in London received more investment than those in Yorkshire and the North East combined, and projects in the South East were allocated almost twice as much as those in the North East.
Read more: Level Up – Where did the first round of money go? A white paper on leveling up has been published
Lisa Nandy, the shadow secretary, criticized the fund and accused the government of “extreme arrogance”.
“The equalization fund is in disarray, beset by delays and allegations of favoritism,” she said.
“It takes extreme arrogance to expect to be grateful for a partial refund of the money they have taken from our communities, which has destroyed vital local services such as childcare, buses and social care.
“It’s time to end this ‘Hunger Games’ style competition where communities are pitted against each other and Whitehall ministers pick winners and losers.”
Mr Sunak said the investment would allow the Government to “spread opportunity everywhere” – adding: “By reaching even more parts of the country than before, we will build a future of optimism and pride in the lives of people and the places they live. call home.”
Ten projects in Scotland will share £177 million in matching funding, including £20 million to help turn Arbuthnot House in Aberdeenshire into a museum and library, as well as modernizing Macduff Aquarium and £20 million to refurbish the Palace Theater in Kilmarnock.
Other allocated investments include:
• £20m for Gateshead Quays and Sage • £5.1m to build women’s changing rooms at 20 Northern Ireland rugby clubs • £50m to create a direct train service linking Newquay, St Austell, Truro and Falmouth /Penryn in Cornwall• £50m 40m new Multiversity, a carbon-neutral education campus in Blackpool’s Talbot Gateway CBD
Image: Boris Johnson made ‘promotion’ a catchphrase and mission statement during his time as Prime Minister
The rate hike was a key Tory policy under Boris Johnson when he was prime minister.
“The defining mission of this government has been to lift this country up, to break the link between geography and destiny, so that no matter where you live you have access to the same opportunities,” Mr Johnson said when he unveiled the government’s equalization white paper last year .
The drive to shift the government’s focus and resources to Britain’s forgotten communities was continued by Michael Gove, the Upliftment Secretary, who said the government was “firing the starting gun” on a number of projects with the latest funding.
“This new funding will create jobs, drive economic growth and help restore local pride,” he said.
“We’re delivering on people’s priorities, aligning across the UK to ensure that no matter where you’re from, you can go as far as your talents can take you.”
The latest successful bids follow the allocation of £1.7 billion to 105 projects from the first round of the 2021 Level Up Fund.
The Government confirmed last year that the second round of funding would match the first round, but said it had increased this by more than £400m after receiving a large number of transformative offers.
The total amount allocated so far by the Local Community Projects Fund is £3.8 billion.
The government has also confirmed that there will be an additional round of investment.
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