Full details of how Government plans to help Cornwall in new Levelling Up project
The Duchy has been given 21 mentions in the 332-page document
Full details of how the Government is aiming to help Cornwall with its new Levelling Up project have been revealed.
The Department for Levelling Up published its white paper on Wednesday afternoon setting out everything the Government plans to do to help boost the regions and level up.
In the 332-page document Cornwall is mentioned 21 times – by comparison Devon is mentioned just 14 times while London gets 265 mentions.
Cornwall is highlighted as being one of nine areas which has been invited to start formal negotiations for a new devolution deal to bring new powers to Cornwall.
It is also mentioned as being part of the Great South West “a powerhouse brand” which brings together Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset and Somerset.
However when it looks at some of the funding and investment being made for Cornwall it consists of projects previously announced.
There is the funding for Spaceport Cornwall; expansion of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Investment Fund and a pilot project to boost bus travel in Cornwall. All have previously been announced.
The document also reaffirms the Government’s pledge to “match EU Structural Fund receipts in each nation of the UK and in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, while reducing the levels of bureaucracy associated with EU funds”.
In a section dedicated to the South West the document reminds us that Cornwall hosted the G7 summit last year and claims the economic impact was £50m made up of £24m from the event itself and £26m from “forecast future growth in the international tourist market over the next five years”.
This section of the document also lists other previously announced funding for Cornwall including the Towns Fund for Camborne, Truro, Penzance and St Ives; and the Future High Streets fund for Penzance.
It also details the levelling up funding for the Isles of Scilly for its new ferry services and the community renewal fund for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Cornwall is also mentioned in the Project Gigabit funding to boost broadband connectivity.
The new announcement is the Education Investment Area for Cornwall which will provide additional funding for education.
Cornwall is also highlighted as getting a new hospital, although this is the previously announced new women’s and children’s unit being provided at Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske.