Robbie Moore MP supports the plans unveiled by the Government to deliver on their promise to ‘level up’ his constituency of Keighley and Ilkley and the whole of the United Kingdom.
The Government’s recently published White Paper highlights how it aims to ensure opportunity is shared nationally. It has explained how this will happen through twelve key missions. Specific plans include; making the rest of the country’s local public transport systems much closer to London standards, ensuring the large majority of the country gain access to 5G broadband, and eliminating illiteracy and innumeracy in primary school leavers, all of which will be achieved by 2030.
The Government have already allocated £33.6 million to Keighley through the Towns Fund to level up the area. This includes over £14 million of funding to bring local brownfield sites back into use, as well as for plans to regenerate Low Street and the Church and Albert Yards Areas.
On Tuesday, it was also announced that Keighley and Ilkley will become an ‘Education Investment Area’, which will put additional funding towards ensuring local schools can continue to provide top rate training and education to young people.
Robbie Moore MP said: “Levelling Up and rebalancing of the economy to all parts of the UK is the flagship policy of this Government. That is why I am pleased to welcome the Levelling Up White Paper, which lays out the Government’s plan to create jobs, spread opportunity and empower communities. There is no denying that our area has been ignored by successive Governments of both parties, and the Local Authority, for far too long. My number one mission is to drive positive economic growth in our area. We have already been allocated £33.6 million to Keighley through the Towns Fund, which is a great start, but it won’t stop me asking for more. Focusing on improving our skills offering and creating more job opportunities is key and I am delighted that in terms of driving this forward, the Government announced last week that we will become an ‘Education Investment Area’, meaning more targeted funding for our schools and young people.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: “Not everyone shares equally in the UK’s success. For decades, too many communities have been overlooked and undervalued. As some areas have flourished, others have been left in a cycle of decline. The UK has been like a jet firing on only one engine. Levelling Up is about ending this historic injustice and calling time on the postcode lottery. This will not be an easy task, and it won’t happen overnight, but our 12 new national levelling up missions will drive real change in towns and cities across the UK, so that where you live will no longer determine how far you can go.”