Sir Edward Garnier has welcomed the announcement of additional funding to support businesses and infrastructure in Harborough, Oadby & Wigston – helping to create jobs and support businesses.
The Leicester & Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership, the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for his constituency and the local area, has been allocated an additional £20.3m. This brings the LLEP’s total allocation of Growth Deal funding to £100.3m.
New investment in projects such as line improvements at Market Harborough to improve journey times on the Midland Mainline and station improvements at Market Harborough will provide further support for local businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire By devolving power and decisions from Whitehall, we see the people of Harborough in the driving seat as the local economy powers ahead.
Growth Deals bring together government funding for investment in infrastructure, housing, and other projects and put it in a single pot, which is placed in the hands of local authorities and businesses to invest – because they are best placed to know how to deliver local jobs and growth.
As part of its long-term plan to build a stronger economy, across the country the Government has announced a further £1 billion of funding for Growth Deals, which comes in addition to £6 billion from the Local Growth fund announced in July last year.
Edward Garnier commented: “This over £20 million of extra funding is welcome news for my constituents.
“Crucially, decisions on how this money is spent are being made by local people who are best placed to ensure it makes a real difference. Projects like the line and station improvements at Market Harborough will help bring growth and prosperity to our area.
“This Growth Deal is a key part of the long-term economic plan to secure a better future for my constituents and this extra money will help local businesses create the jobs we need so more families will enjoy the security of a regular pay packet. It will also help equip our young people to gain the skills they need to get on in life.”
Greg Clark MP, the Business Minister, said: “For Britain to fulfil its potential every part of the country must be an engine of growth.
“Our successful programme of City Deals and Growth Deals have put local people in the driving seat as the local economy powers ahead. This billion-pound expansion of Growth Deals fuels the momentum that is now underway in our local economies.”