Westminster funding boosts entrepreneurship and job prospects

AToryMSPhaswelcomeda£1.6m funding boost which is helping a Lanarkshire organisation expand its operations.

Conservative shadow transport minister, Graham Simpson, spoke to staff at Elevator UK, after they were awardedthemoneyfromtheUK Government’sCommunityRenewal Fund.

That will help Elevator UK – a social enterprise, supporting entrepreneurship and employability in Scotland through various programmes – increase skills, employability and entrepreneurial awareness in North and South Lanarkshire.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak awarded £823,576 to Elevator Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in North Lanarkshire and £874,988 for Elevating South Lanarkshire.

They plan to set up hubs in towns, including Blantyre, Cumbernauld and Shotts, and will run a number of projects from them.

Delivery phase of the project is expected to take place in February 2022.

Mr Simpson said :“It is great that this moneyhasbeenawardedandIlook forward to working with Elevator to ensure it translates into people getting set up in business and boosting skills across Lanarkshire.

“The hub has the potential to help with the revival of high streets.

“I am confident that Elevator will have things up and running in short order.”

Rachel Ross from Elevator UK told us : “We’re delighted to have Mr Simpson’s interest and support for our E3 Elevating Lanarkshire Programme.

“The funding for this innovative pilot has been provided bythe UK

Governmentandwillmakeahuge difference to the people, businesses and communities within Lanarkshire.

“We’ll raise the entrepreneurial bar within the region with more opportunities for business creation, business growth and business education delivered through a network of interconnected Enterprise Hubs and look forward to opening these in February 2022.”