A £200 million plan to transform Barrow’s future has been signed off by the Government.
On March 25, then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the cash would be coming to Cumbria over the next decade.
The money was earmarked to kickstart a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver meaningful, long-term change in Barrow.
Team Barrow, a partnership between central government, Westmorland and Furness Council, and BAE Systems, was set up.
However, because the project was not mentioned in the new Labour Government’s Budget last month, there were fears that the project had stalled.
But last night, Barrow and Furness MP Michelle Scrogham said: “I am delighted to confirm following conversations with Ministers today that the Government has signed off the £200m Barrow Transformation Fund of £20 million a year for 10 years from 2025/26.
“In addition, we will also receive £5 million over five years for a Social Impact Fund which will be given through grants to community and voluntary organisations.
“This is massive investment from the Government which is backing our whole area.
“It is designed to deliver growth – building even more vibrant local communities, improving sports, culture, health, and wellbeing. It will also help build a strong affordable housing market and improve transport.
“Since I was elected I’ve been lobbying the new government hard on this with meetings across government including with Number 10, MoD and Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government. I haven’t left it alone and ministers are no doubt sick of the sight of me by now.
“I’m pleased that ministers have understood from the start just how important our area is to our national defence and have been fully committed to finding this funding.
“I pay tribute to all the people who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to get the project back on track.”
he first Team Barrow board meeting takes place this Friday with members expected to hear progress from five workstreams set up earlier this year.
It’s understood the five focus on supporting the attraction and retention of working age population, raising education and skills levels, improving infrastructure, growing the economy and productivity and community and social impact.
In an interview with Business Crack, Westmorland and Furness Council chief executive Sam Plum said she viewed Team Barrow as a once in a lifetime opportunity make a lasting difference to the town with benefits far beyond.
