Projects to boost cities’ economies and culture

THREE PROJECTS aiming to boost economic growth in the Bradford district are to share £2.7m in funding from the Leeds City Region Partnership.

A fourth, designed to develop film and television skills across the Leeds City Region, will be run by Bradford Council together with Bradford UNESCO City of Film and Screen Yorkshire using £500,000 of Business Rates Pool funding.

One of the projects will support the growth of festivals and other major cultural and sporting events. Another aims to create jobs in the health sector through a new Bradford Health and Social Care Economic Partnership.

A third project will help people living in deprived areas to plan their career pathways through training them how to apply for jobs and providing work experience.

Coun Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, said: “We’re really pleased to have secured this funding for Bradford district in three key areas. We know that by 2030 we will need another 15,000 health workers in the dis- trict, this money will be an investment in the workforce of the future.

“The Screen Yorkshire investment we are leading for the region is absolutely right for Bradford as UNESCO’s first City of Film. Film increasingly is a strong contributor to our economic growth.”

A total of £12.9m is being given to 20 projects across the region.