Bridgend Council recently revealed what bids were being prepared for the UK Government’s “Levelling Up” fund, but other recent post-EU funding decisions in London were raised in the Senedd yesterday by Sarah Murphy MS (Lab, Bridgend).
She said tourism in Bridgend plays an “integral part in our local economy and history” and EU investment has been crucial in much of that success. This was now under threat because the UK Government hasn’t fully replaced that funding.
“Can the Minister confirm that she is working to stand up for communities such as Bridgend ….rather than only see Tory strongholds benefit from any future investments?”
– Sarah Murphy MS
Finance & Local Government Minister, Rebecca Evans (Lab, Gower), outlined how Bridgend has fared badly from the UK Government’s approach.
“(Bridgend) was de-prioritised for funding by the Conservatives in Westminster, despite previously benefiting from the maximum level of EU support. And this has been demonstrated by the county receiving just £785,000 from the £47 million community renewal funding awarded to Welsh local authorities.”
– Finance & Local Government Minister, Rebecca Evans
The Minister went on to say that the long-term plans for the post-EU shared prosperity fund fall far short of the sums of money available via previous EU programmes in Wales “despite Conservative promises that we wouldn’t be a penny worse off”.
