Denham: LEPs ‘a shambles’
John Denham MP, Labour’s shadow business secretary, responds to the government’s Local Growth white paper:
“Just when action to promote jobs and growth is essential, the Government has shown it has no real plan for regional growth.
“The Regional Growth Fund is a pathetic fig leaf to cover the absence of any plan for growth.
“Regional funding has been by cut at least two-thirds, all key decisions are being centralised in Whitehall, the new Local Enterprise Partnerships are a shambles and leave areas of the country with no effective development organisation, and the voice of business is being ignored on everything from planning to investment and to skills.
“Regional funding has fallen from £1.4bn a year to £1.4bn over three years and is now expected to pay investment in transport and housing that previously enjoyed dedicated budgets.
“It is clear that the government has no plan for growth.”
