Monday June 3rd 2024
Written by Midlothian View Editor, Phil Bowen
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that 30 towns across the UK will all receive £20m from the UK Government.
The money is part of the Conservative UK Government’s Long-Term Plan for Towns, with Mayfield one of four Scottish towns to benefit from the latest round of funding.
Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate for Midlothian Keith Cockburn says it is “fantastic” news that the Prime Minister has confirmed a Conservative UK Government would invest £20 million in Mayfield.
The £20 million would be paid directly to Midlothian Council with a town board set up to bring together local representatives, business leaders and community organisations to develop a plan for Mayfield.
Each town will receive £20m over the next 10 years.
Keith says this is evidence of the Conservative’s commitment to directly investing in towns across the country including Mayfield, in sharp contrast to the SNP’s sustained cuts to local councils.
Mr Cockburn has added that he hopes the SNP Government is prepared to work closely with Midlothian Council to ensure the funding is spent on local people’s priorities and helps to transform Mayfield.
Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate Keith Cockburn said: “This is fantastic news for Mayfield.
“The £20 million worth of funding from the UK Government would be a major boost for the local economy and help to deliver on the priorities facing people in Mayfield.
“It is welcome that the money would be delivered directly to Midlothian Council who are best placed to decide how this £20 million will be spent in our communities.
“That direct investment is in sharp contrast to the SNP who have imposed savage and sustained cuts on Mayfield for years.
“The SNP Government must work closely with Midlothian Council and the towns board which will be set up to ensure this money is spent on what local people want and helps to create new opportunities for people living and working in Mayfield”.
The Conservatives spokesperson said
“Over £1 billion is already set out in Government plans for Long Term Plan for Towns. These 30 additional towns will cost around £60 million per annum which is affordable from within our tax avoidance plans. Those plans will raise £6 billion a year, of which we have committed £1 billion to national service and £2.4 billion for pensions.
The list of 30 towns receiving the money are
1. Tamworth, West Midlands
2. Preston, North West
3. Kidderminster, West Midlands
4. Redditch, West Midlands
5. Cannock, West Midlands
6. Skelmersdale, North West
7. Camborne, South West
8. Newcastle-under-Lyme, West Midlands
9. Thornaby-on-Tees, North East
10. Burton upon Trent, West Midlands
11. Little Hulton, North West
12. Gainsborough, East Midlands
13. Halifax, Yorkshire and The Humber
14. Ilkeston, East Midlands
15. Wythenshawe, North West
16. Corby, East Midlands
17. Grantham, East Midlands
18. Wigston, East Midlands
19. Bognor Regis, South East
20. Dronfield, East Midlands
21. Fleetwood, North West
22. Alloa, Scotland
23. Perth, Scotland
24. Mayfield, Scotland
25. Helensburgh, Scotland
26. Newtown, Wales
27. Abertillery, Wales
28. Flint, Wales
29. Enniskillen, Northern Ireland
30. Newry, Northern Ireland
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