David Mundell MP says another productive meeting has been held over the Borderlands Growth Deal.
Mr Mundell was in attendance in Carlisle today (Thursday January 18) alongside Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth Minister Jake Berry MP, as well as representatives from the cross-border councils involved in the growth deal.
The meeting was the first after UK Government Chancellor Philip Hammond signalled his support for the deal in his Budget in November, stating that negotiations were set to begin.
Following today’s latest meeting, David Mundell MP said: “We are continuing to make good progress towards a Borderlands Growth Deal, which has the potential to transform the economy of the whole region, creating jobs and increasing prosperity.
“We had a productive meeting today with the five Borderlands local authority partners. I was impressed with their enthusiasm for, and the energy behind, creating a transformative deal.
“We will continue to work closely with the Borderlands partners to work up the detail of their proposals.”
Last year a formal proposition was submitted to the UK and Scottish governments for consideration, focusing on the factors which make the area attractive to investors, visitors and those who wish to relocate. It also aimed to tackle the need for population growth and improved productivity.
The proposition for a Borderlands Growth Deal focussed on several key themes, including: digital technology; innovation; low carbon; and energy. The approach is based on existing physical and infrastructure connections, and transport and connectivity are at the heart of the partners’ proposals, linking the opportunities that can be created and informing future projects.