Local MP Don Foster has welcomed the news announced by the Coalition Government that the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) will help deliver 77,000 jobs.
More than half-a-billion pounds of funding to create jobs and growth across England was announced by Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg as part of the fourth round of the RGF.
Bath has benefited from the Regional Growth Fund in many ways. One of which is a grant of nearly £4 million to Bath and North East Somerset Council to support it in creating over a 1000 homes by either building new homes or bringing back empty homes. This will provide a boost to the local construction industry and create jobs.
Another is the £4 million investment received by a local project to remove the Windsor Gas Towers, which improved local infrastructure and helped create jobs and growth. A further example is the almost £12 million given to fund the Bath Transportation Package, helping to reduce journey times and create jobs.
Commenting, Don Foster MP said: “This is excellent news for our area, helping to create jobs for local people.
“The Regional Growth Fund is a key part of the Liberal Democrat commitment to building a stronger economy in a fairer society. For too long, previous Labour and Conservative governments have focused on boosting financial services in the City of London and neglecting our local economy.
“The RGF invests in businesses and projects in Bath so they can grow and employ more people. It has been vital in stimulating private investment that would otherwise not have gone ahead.
Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg said: “There are more people in work today than ever before – since 2010 we have helped create 1.3m jobs in the private sector. Liberal Democrats want to create a million more.
“That’s what the Regional Growth Fund is all about – and I’m extremely proud to have found extra money to invest in projects across the country that have plans for the future and want to recruit local talent that will make their businesses better.”
