Barrow MP John Woodcock has today commented on the announcement by the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, Robert Jenrick, that the town of Barrow-in-Furness has been selected to develop a proposal for the £3.6 billion Town Fund.
The fund was recently developed by the government and aims to offer final support specifically to towns rather than big cities.
The secretary announced that 100 towns across the country would be selected to develop proposals for the fund that would include investment into transports, digital infrastructure, skills and culture, with rewards equalling up to £25 million per town.
John Woodcock MP for Barrow and Furness said: “This is welcome news especially so soon after the news of Barrows successful progress though round one of the Future High Streets Fund, further evidence that my sustained calls for investment and joined up local campaigning led by Furness Economic Development Fund and Quality of Life workgroup of which I am chair, is starting to cut through.
“For too long Northern industrial towns have been neglected with funds being diverted to London but it is crunch time here in Barrow with ongoing recruitment issues at BAE and the real threat to delivering Dreadnought on time so this type of investment is crucial.
“I will continue to work closely with all stakeholder via FEDF and the Quality of Life workgroup to develop a dynamic and deliverable proposal for the Towns fund and look forward to working with the government on this.”