MPs back bid to breathe new life into former pit towns and villages
MPS IN former pit towns and villages across Yorkshire will call on Westminster to provide more support for their communities, many of which have been devastated by the closure of the coalmines.
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust will outline the challenges that face coalfield communities at a reception in Westminster on February 27.
A dozen Yorkshire MPs have shown their support for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, including Leeds Central MP Hilary Benn, Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford MP Yvette Cooper and Doncaster Central MP Dame Rosie Winterton.
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust will explain how its new Coalfield Investment Fund proposition will work. The funds would be used to develop new industrial space to support SME growth in former mining areas and on completion bring an estimated 1,000 jobs to the coalfields over the next five years. Andy Lock, head of operations (England) for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, said: “We know that there are still challenges in the coalfield regions and they lag behind on many of the national indices.”
Mr Lock added: “However, we know with the right investment a positive difference can be made.”
FORMER MINING towns and villages need more support following years of chronic underinvestment since the closure of the pits, MPs will be told tomorrow.
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust, which has support from more than 40 cross-party MPs including 12 from Yorkshire, will outline the ongoing challenges that face coalfield communities at a reception in Westminster.
The trust said it would set out a clear case for additional support to address three priorities for action – employment, skills and health.
It will use the reception to set out ambitious plans to return the communities to the thriving towns and villages they once were.
Andy Lock, head of operations (England) for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, said: “We know that there are still challenges in the coalfield regions and they lag behind on many of the national indices. However, we know with the right investment a positive difference can be made.
“As an example, from the State of the Coalfields Report, we can see that 42 per cent of neighbourhoods in Yorkshire fall into the 30 per cent most deprived in the UK. In addition to this, 21 per cent of residents have no formal qualifications, way behind the national average of 15 per cent.
“This is why we are calling upon the support of MPs, as it is essential we carry on our work together as we tackle the ongoing issues and ensure coalfield communities do not continue to be left behind.”
A dozen Yorkshire MPs have shown their support for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust by signing its pledge book which states: “I pledge my support to the work of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust in delivering against its objectives to make a lasting and positive impact on the employment, skills and health of residents in former mining towns and villages”.
The Yorkshire MPs include Hilary Benn (Leeds Central), Yvette Cooper (Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford), Dame Rosie Winterton (Doncaster Central), Caroline Flint (Don Valley), Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell), Nigel Adams (Selby and Ainsty), Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central), John Healey (Wentworth and Dearne), Alex Sobel (Leeds North), Mary Creagh (Wakefield), Stephanie Peacock (Barnsley East) and Kevin Barron (Rother Valley).
Conor McGinn, Labour MP for St Helens North, said: “Former coalfield communities up and down the country like the ones I represent in St Helens have seen chronic under-investment in employment, skills and health since the closure of the pits.
“Now that economic growth has returned, it is more important than ever to support our coalfield communities so that high-skilled and well-paying jobs are available and health and wellbeing are prioritised.”
The Coalfields Regeneration Trust will explain how its Coalfield Investment Fund proposition will work. The funds would be used to develop new industrial space to support SME growth in former mining areas and bring an estimated 1,000 jobs over the next five years.
Over a 25-year period, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust said it would produce £50m in sustainable income which will be used to support social-impact projects creating a wellbeing value of more than £500m in the communities and a lasting legacy for the next generation.
An annual income stream of £2m will be directed into socialimpact projects in the communities to get 400 people back into work and give 5,000 people new skills. The trust also hopes to get 8,000 people taking part in activities to improve their health.
Chief executive of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust Gary Ellis, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank every MP across the country who signed our pledge book.”