James Cunningham

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Regeneration in the West Midlands

Jim Cunningham MP asked the Government to highlight how it has invested in regeneration of the West Midlands.

Jim Cunningham said, “West Midlands has seen huge changes in the last decade.

“The Government has invested heavily in the region and has particularly focused on regeneration”.

Mr Cunningham, in a written question to the Department of Communities and Local Government, asked for clarification of the steps taken by the Government to promote regeneration in the West Midlands since 1997.

Parmjit Dhana MP, Under Secretary of State, wrote back to Mr Cunningham breaking down the Governments investment in regeneration.

Mr Dhana said “Considerable Central Government Regeneration funds have been made available to the West Midlands since 1997 – in total some £850 million”.

Mr Dhana also highlighted the impact ‘Advantage West Midlands’ on the regeneration of the region. Advantage West Midlands is the Regional Development Agency for the Region.

Mr Dhana continued “Since Advantage West Midlands was established in 1999 it has between 199-2000 and 2006-07 spent over £1.6 billion in connection with economic regeneration activity in the region”.
  has a further budget allocation for 2007-09 is around £296 million.

Mr Cunningham welcomes the investment made so far and urges to Government to continue its efforts to regenerate the region.