Strictly embargoed until 13.00, 23 February 2010
The Government underlined its commitment to
economic development across the English regions today with a
£64.4million package of new investment announced by Lord Mandelson.
The funding will be distributed by the nine Regional Development
Agencies (RDAs) to support a range of new initiatives in key
industrial sectors, including green energy provision, low carbon
manufacturing and R&D, support for science and innovation
and urban regeneration.
In an Action Plan published today, the RDAs confirmed their
commitment to promoting the New Industry, New Jobs and
Going for Growth policy agendas and set out steps to
ensure their regions can benefit from the new jobs and
opportunities created by future growth.
Their in-depth knowledge of regional economies means they are
uniquely placed to help deliver the Government’s strategy for
economic recovery, job creation and future growth. Over the past
12 years they have played a key role in supporting businesses and communities.
Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson said:
“The RDAs are by far the best way for the Government to secure
future economic growth. Their Action Plan highlights how they are
uniquely placed to help deliver our strategies for economic
recovery, job creation and business success throughout the
country.
“For every £1 the RDAs spend, around £4.50 is put back into their
region’s economy. Over the past decade, this spending has created
more than 850,000 jobs, helped start up nearly 60,000 businesses
and ensured that people across the country are able to benefit
from new economic opportunities in their region.”
Today, each RDA announced details of new initiatives and
investments in their region:
· Northwest Regional Development Agency: £4.4m
investment in a new Centre for Nuclear Energy Technology to
position the Northwest as a region of global nuclear capability
· ONE North East: £5m package to help Tees Valley
companies improve their resource efficiency by reducing their
energy use
· Yorkshire
Forward: £6m funding for the regeneration of
Huddersfield Waterfront Quarter
· East Midlands Development Agency: £22 million to help
regional businesses develop and exploit innovative ideas
· Advantage West Midlands: £3.9m grant for Michelin to
increase capacity at its Stoke-on-Trent plant, install new
equipment and modernise the production process
· East of England Development Agency: £5.5m for
companies conducting low carbon R&D across the region
· South East England Development Agency: £7.4m
investment deal to help GKN and Rolls Royce establish a
pre-production facility for Environmental Lightweight Fans (ELF)
on the Isle of Wight
· London Development Agency: A new series of free
seminars to help SMEs build on their successes and identify new
opportunities for growth
· South West Regional Development Agency: £10.2m
additional funding for the Bristol and Bath Science Park
Minister for Regional Economic Coordination, Rosie
Winterton said:
“RDAs are a key delivery vehicle for taking forward the
Government's New Industry, New Jobs and
Growth Strategies. Their Action Plan highlights the
real difference they are making and offers a clear commitment to
ensure the regions benefit from future growth. I have seen
first-hand the help RDAs have provided for business during the
recession - this includes providing 110,000 businesses with
Business Link health checks, an additional £125m funding for small
firms, and bringing forward £100m to support regeneration.
“The RDAs also fulfil an essential role in providing critical
skills training for the workforce and by helping link businesses
with universities to foster innovation. In four years they have
assisted over 400,000 people to improve their skills, which is
almost the population of Manchester. And they look beyond their
region by supporting UK exporters in overseas markets and
attracting foreign investment.”
Speaking on behalf of all RDAs, Mick Laverty, Chief Executive at
Advantage West Midlands, said:
“RDAs are business-led and business-focused organisations, which
are promoting and enabling economic growth in England.
“Ours is a vital role in the current economic climate, not least
because of the frontline support we provide to England’s
businesses today to help them take advantage of the new market
opportunities of tomorrow.
“We have repeatedly demonstrated our ability to respond swiftly
and effectively to tackle economic challenges and opportunities.
There are few other public sector bodies which are able to offer
this degree of simplicity or speed, which benefits national
government, local authority partners and business alike.”
At today’s event, the Government also published a policy
statement to help the RDAs and Local Authorities prepare their new
Regional Strategies for promoting sustainable economic growth,
increasing housing provision and tackling climate change.
The Technology Strategy Board also published its report
‘Accelerating Business Innovation across the UK’ about
how it is working with the RDAs and the Devolved Administrations
to boost business innovation across the English regions and in
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
PRESS CALL: CONFERENCE ON NEW INDUSTRY, NEW
JOBS:TRANSFORMING OUR REGIONS
Lord Mandelson and the Minister for Regional Economic
Co-ordination, Rosie Winterton will host a press conference in the
BIS Conference Centre on Tuesday 23 February 2010.
Lord Mandelson and Rosie Winterton will address the conference
and take questions from the audience. The Regional Ministers will
then be available for interview. Senior representatives from each
of the Regional Development Agencies will also be in attendance.
WHEN: 12.45pm – 2.30pm, Tuesday 23 February
2010
WHERE: BIS Conference Centre, 1 Victoria Street,
London, SW1H 0ET
Attendees should have an accredited press pass.
To confirm your attendance, please contact Henry Tanner at the
BIS press office on 020 7215 5947 or email henry.tanner@bis.gsi.gov.uk
To place an interview bid with Lord Mandelson, please call Una
Flynn in the BIS Press Office on 020 7215 5256
To place a bid with Regional Minister (Yorkshire and Humber),
Rosie Winterton please call Ros Dawson on 0113 341 2812
To place a bid with Regional Minister (East), Barbara Follett
please call Emma Harpley on 01223 372502
To place a bid with Regional Minister (East
Midlands), Phil Hope please call Tim Walsh on 0115 971 4740
To place a bid with Regional Minister (North East), Nick Brown
please call Val Johnson 0191 202 3569
To place a bid with Regional Minister (North West), Phil Woolas
please call Jill Chesworth on 0161 952 4333
To place a bid with Regional Minister (South East), Jonathan Shaw
please call Jane Manning on 07920 751161
To place a bid with Regional Minister (South West), Jim Knight
please call Matt Pitman on 07920 750486
To place a bid with Regional Minister (West Midlands), Ian Austin
please call Annie Harris on 0121 352 5503
Notes to editors
1. England’s RDAs were established under the Regional Development
Agencies Act 1998. Each Agency has five statutory purposes, which are:
To further economic development and regeneration To promote
business efficiency, investment and competitiveness To promote
employment To enhance development and application of skill
relevant to employment To contribute to sustainable development
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is
building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the
conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise
and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to
succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities
and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Una Flynn
Phone: 020 7215 5256
Una.Flynn@bis.gsi.gov.uk