MP welcomes Budget bonus for Levelling Up Torbay

Torbay’s MP has welcomed news that Torbay is one of 20 areas chosen to be part of a new Levelling Up Partnership.

Backed by £400million of investment, the Government says it will work in partnership with 20 areas - including Torbay - to secure what it describes as 'bespoke place-based regeneration in each area'.

The announcement was made by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt as part of yesterday's Budget.

The Torbay Partnership will see the Government work with local MPs, Torbay Council and other key local stakeholders to identify what is needed to deliver key regeneration outcomes.

In Blackpool, a similar initiative saw the local housing enforcement team given more money for taking action against landlords not meeting standards and work with the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions to increase local skills.

The news of the new partnership came as the Government also confirmed a third round of the Levelling Up Fund would proceed.

Torbay failed to secure funding in the first two rounds of bidding, with the feedback on the 'Fish and Hi-Tech Chips' second round bid submitted by Torbay Council indicating there was: “Insufficient detail provided on expenditure to give confidence in the deliverability of the project.”

MP Kevin Foster said: “The announcement of the new Levelling Up Partnership is very welcome, especially the opportunity to use it to drive delivery of regeneration projects in our Bay.

“I look forward to working with colleagues in government to not only secure further funding, including from the next round of the Levelling Up fund, but to ensuring there is an end to the delays in getting shovels in the ground at a local level.”