29 Jul 2019
New Prime Minister Boris Johnson has today announced £300m new investment for Growth Deals across Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Georgina Hines
In a bid to improve productivity and spread wealth distribution in regions across the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged a further £300m to Growth Deals – a £2.78bn initiative launched in 2014.
Growth Deals help local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) develop projects between local authorities and businesses that will help benefit local economies. Significant deals struck so far include the Northern Powerhouse and the Midlands in January and March 2017, respectively.
‘As I said when I stood on the steps of Downing Street last week, it is time that we unleashed the productive power not just of London and the South East but of every corner of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland,’ said Johnson.
‘Important projects like government’s Growth Deals – today backed with £300m new funding – will open up opportunities across our Union so people in every corner of the United Kingdom can realise their potential.’
Announcing the government’s plans today at a military base in Scotland, Johnson also plans to meet with the Welsh farming community and politicians in Northern Ireland for talks to restore the Executive, which collapsed in 2017.
‘Our Union is the most successful political and economic union in history. We are a global brand and together we are safer, stronger and more prosperous,’ said Johnson.