Hull MP says 'every little helps' on local growth

Hull North MP Diana Johnson has commented on today's announcement of an £103m allocation to the Humber area from the Government's Local Growth Fund.

Diana Johnson MP said: "Humber LEP made a bid for the investment they thought is needed for regeneration around the Humber.

"They've been granted around half of it - £103m for the Humber region out of £6bn nationally.
"To put this £103m into perspective, £160m was cut from Orchard Park Estate regeneration alone in 2010 by the Coalition.

"The £6bn nationally the first half of £12bn promised - falls far short of Labour's plans to devolve £30bn of regeneration funding and Lord Heseltine suggestion of £49bn.

"There's also no decentralization of powers over skills, infrastructure and employment, and no proposals for City Regions to benefit from increased business rates revenue.

"However, as the saying goes, 'every little helps', and the £4m for small and medium size enterprises and spending on flood works are all welcome. The battle will go on to see rail electrification works done in time for Hull's 2017 City of Culture."