Local MPs Ben Everitt and Iain Stewart have shared their delight after the Conservative Government confirmed £4.3 million worth of investment into levelling up communities in Milton Keynes.
Conservative Press Release: Milton Keynes is set to receive more than £3 million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to help level up the community – from regenerating run down high streets to fighting anti-social behaviour. And it will also benefit from a £1.3 million boost as part of Multiply, the Government scheme to improve adult numeracy skills.
The investment will help deliver on the Conservative Government’s mission to level up the United Kingdom – regenerating communities, tackling economic decline, and reversing geographical inequalities to ensure that everyone can fulfil their potential.
The UKSPF allows local communities to invest in local priorities from regenerating high streets, to tackling economic decline, and will help reverse geographical inequalities – with areas in greater need receiving more support, but every place receiving funding. The funding is part of the Government’s mission to level up the UK, by ensuring that where an individual is born does not determine the success and opportunities afforded to them.
This money will be given to locally elected authorities and local leaders who best know what their communities need – helping to slash bureaucracy and support communities in seizing new opportunities.
The spending confirms that the Conservative Government has fulfilled its commitment to match previous EU funding on social and regional development.
The Multiply funding is a new UK-wide programme to equip hundreds of thousands of adults with functional numeracy skills to improve their employment prospects.
This could mean free tutoring, digital training and flexible courses to help adults with low-level maths skills get back into work, as well as measures to get more young people into high-skilled jobs.
Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, said: “I am incredibly proud to be the MP for Milton Keynes North and know that our best days lie ahead. I am determined to work with the Government to ensure that everyone from our area is able to reach their full potential.
“That is why I welcome the investment of more than £4.3 million for Milton Keynes, which can be used across a range of projects from tackling crime and antisocial behaviour, helping young people into good jobs, and regenerating our high streets.
“This investment will help to local residents to fulfil their potential, while reducing regional inequalities that have been left untouched for too long.”
Iain Stewart, the MP for Milton Keynes South, added: "I warmly welcome this Conservative Government investment of £4.3 million in Milton Keynes to help level up communities across the city.
"I am particularly pleased that Milton Keynes is receiving £1.3 million through Multiply to improve adult numeracy skills and, ultimately, help to develop skills for life."
Michael Gove, the Levelling Up Secretary, commented: “We have taken back control of our money from the EU and we are empowering those who know their communities best to deliver on their priorities.
“The UK Shared Prosperity Fund will help to unleash the creativity and talent of communities that have for too long been overlooked and undervalued.
“By targeting this funding at areas of the country that need it the most, we will help spread opportunity and level up in every part of the United Kingdom.”
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