Lincoln is to benefit by up to £25m from the Government's £3.6 billion new towns fund, to transform skills and connectivity.
Since 2004 Karl McCartney as both the Parliamentary Candidate and Member of Parliament from 2010-17 has campaigned for investment in skills across Lincoln and better rail, road and broadband connectivity in the City and surrounding areas, to boost local business, jobs and growth. Between 2010 and 2017 he achieved and influenced over £300m of inward investment in the City and surounding areas, with new roads, cross country rail services, direct trains to London (with more to come), rail footbridges and the Eastern Bypass and East West link, in his time as Lincoln’s Conservative Member of Parliament promoting and solving these issues and lobbying Ministers.
The Local Government Secretary, the Rt. Hon. Robert Jenrick MP, who represents Newark, and his colleague The Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry have met Karl a number of times and discussed the challenges the City of Lincoln faces and are very supportive.
A total of 100 towns and cities, including Lincoln, 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 area’s economic growth prospects with a focus on improved transport, broadband connectivity and skills.
Karl McCartney said:
"Lincoln is set to benefit by up to £25 million from this new towns fund. I am delighted that our Conservative Government is listening to us here in Lincoln and has acted to help boost our local economy in the City. Business, jobs and growth are vital to secure Lincoln's future as we continue to enjoy sustainable development and growth in jobs and opportunities.
"I have campaigned continuously to improve Lincoln's road and rail connectivity as well as investment in skills and infrastructure like broadband and energy provision which are so critical for our economic growth. I am obviously very grateful to everyone locally who has worked with me on this, particularly local Conservative County and City Councillors. This additional funding also helps further to secure Lincoln’s bright future. I am delighted our City will benefit and that our campaigning as Conservatives has paid off. I look forward to continuing to work with local business and our various sectors of the community across our City to use this funding to secure potential benefits to improve Lincoln's future."
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the 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, the Rt. Hon. Jake Berry MP 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.”
Cllr Hilton Spratt, Leader of the Conservative Group on the City of Lincoln Council, and his deputy, Cllr Thomas Dyer said:
“The Conservative Group in Lincoln are excited to work with our Conservative Government, local businesses and residents to put together a comprehensive plan for accessing this funding in Lincoln. Businesses in Lincoln need the infrastructure improvements and commitment to up-skilling employees to continue flourishing and growing that this funding will provide for our City. We want to see this funding invested wisely across our community so that we continue to see a positive impact for decades to come."
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.
