Andrew made his first Ministerial visit to our area as part of his first tour of the region as the Minister for the Northern Powerhouse.
Andrew was appointed as the Minister for the Northern Powerhouse by Prime Minister Theresa May less than two weeks ago. As part of his new role Andrew has already answered parliamentary questions in the House of Commons chamber but was keen to get out of Westminster at the earliest opportunity and see for himself the projects promoting growth in the North.
As part of the visit, Andrew came to the Humber and signed the Memorandum of Understanding to extend the Humber Enterprise Zone, which will cover Goole 36. He also welcomed the further confirmation of six more projects across East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire worth £11.5 million which are funded by the Conservative Government’s Local Growth Fund. These schemes are all part of the Government’s commitment to the Northern Powerhouse.
Andrew was also pleased to hear that the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is intending to bid for even more funding in the autumn for additional projects in our area.
Andrew says, "I was really clear that my first official visit as a Minister must be here in the Humber to demonstrate that our region is central to the aspirations of the Government to build a Northern Powerhouse.
“I am especially pleased that this included the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding to expand the Humber Enterprise Zone. These sites are located across the Humber and the previously announced extension includes the Goole 36 site along the new Tom Pudding Way, which I helped to secure funding for.
“The designation of this site as an Enterprise Zone means that investors can take advantage of certain business rate or capital allowance advantages. Nationally, over 26,000 jobs have been created on these sites and I know there are more to come on the Goole site.
“On my first visit I met with the leaders of the four Councils in the Humber and the Humber Local Enterprise Zone. We were able to confirm six more projects getting funded as part of the Government’s Local Growth Fund, including flood alleviation schemes and a scheme for Normanby Park near Scunthorpe.
“The Enterprise Zone and the Local Growth Fund are important parts of the Northern Powerhouse which I am now the Minister for. This is real investment in the North and our area is benefiting from this too as we try to close the economic gap between the North and the South.
“It was great to be on 'home' territory here in our region for my first Ministerial visit. I am absolutely determined to use this new role to do the very best for our region and for the North generally. It won't all be plain sailing but I look forward to announcing further investment in the North over the coming weeks and months.”
Picture - Andrew signing the Memorandum of Understanding for the extension of the Humber Enterprise Zone with Cllr Stephen Brady (Leader of Hull City Council) and Lord Haskins (Chair of the Humber LEP).
