The government has unveiled that Blyth will be one of 55 towns that will benefit from a £1.1 billion levelling up investment, as part of a long-term plan for towns that provide long-term investment in towns that have been overlooked and taken for granted.
Blyth will receive a ten-year £20 million endowment-style fund to be spent on local people’s priorities, like regenerating local high streets and town centres or securing public safety.
The Long-Term Plan for Towns will give local people in Blyth the opportunity to have their say on where this long-term funding will be invested through new Town Boards.
Blyth will also benefit from access to a new toolkit of regeneration powers to unlock more private sector investment by auctioning empty high street shops, reforming licensing rules on shops and restaurants, and supporting more housing in town centres.
In addition to this direct support for Blyth, the Conservative Government is launching a Towns Taskforce to support towns in England, helping the newly formed Town Boards to develop their plans, and advise them on how best to take advantage of government policies, unlock private investment and engage their communities.
The Conservative Government will work with local councils and the devolved administrations to determine how towns in Scotland and Wales will benefit from funding and powers under the long-term plans. In Northern Ireland, we look forward to working with a restored Executive to determine the approach to providing support there.
This is just the latest step in the Conservative Government’s plan to deliver on its levelling up agenda, spreading opportunities and prosperity across the country, whilst also delivering on its five priorities to halve inflation, grow the economy, reduce debt, cut waiting lists and stop the boats.
Commenting, Ian Levy MP said:
“I am delighted that Blyth has been selected as one of the first 55 towns to benefit from the Conservative Government’s new Long-Term Plan for Towns, securing a brighter future for residents.
“People across Blyth Valley will be delighted to hear Blyth is getting the support it deserves, showing the Conservative Government’s levelling up agenda in action.
"This money is in addition to the £90m already spent via the Energising Blyth programme and the almost £300m being invested in reopening the Northumberland Line to passenger rail services. There’s already a Town Board in place and so I’m certain we can spend this money where it will make a real difference and hit the ground running."
Commenting, Minister for Levelling Up, Jacob Young MP said:
“The Conservative Government’s new £1.1 billion Long-Term Plan for Towns will transform many of our towns that have been left behind for far too long.
“This first wave of 55 towns will receive £20 million in funding to help deliver their new long term Town Plans as we secure a brighter future for local residents as part of our levelling up mission.”
