Andy Burnham unveils £700m plan to drive re-industrialisation in fresh devolution push

Andy Burnham unveils £700m plan to drive re-industrialisation in fresh devolution push Labour said the proposals would 'attract billions in investment and unlock tens of thousands of good-quality jobs in the years ahead' Sign up to the Politics Newsletter I agree to receive updates and information about my account, the GB News Community, and related products and services from GB News. Email address Sign up By signing up you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and Community Rules.

Thank you for signing up! See the latest from GB News here . Choose GB News on Google - add us as a preferred source Choose GB News Support GB News Champion free speech and independent journalism while unlocking exclusive benefits. Support us Andy Burnham has launched a £700million package to accelerate reindustrialisation across the UK as part of his latest devolution drive. The Strategic Sites Accelerator will deploy public capital to revive up to 10 major industrial and commercial developments that have stalled despite being commercially sound and backed by strong investor interest.

The programme targets up to £2billion in private-sector funding and could generate tens of thousands of jobs over time, according to Labour Regional mayors and council leaders will be central to the initiative, tasked with pinpointing investment opportunities in their areas. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say No10 North will also collaborate with the programme to support this effort nationwide. Applications for the scheme remain open until January 19, 2027.

The scheme targets developments held back by obstacles such as planning constraints, difficulties securing grid connections, and limited access to finance, the Department for Business and Trade said. Between six and 10 nationally significant projects stand to receive support through a blend of loans, equity stakes, targeted grants and technical expertise. Andy Burnham announced the fresh plan for reindustrialisation | REUTERS Sites eligible for backing span a broad range of sectors, including science parks, advanced manufacturing, defence, digital and technology, and life sciences facilities.

The initiative unites the Office for Investment and the National Wealth Fund under a single programme, with commercial property firm CBRE appointed as its national delivery partner. The accelerator was originally set out as a component of former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's decade-long industrial strategy, conceived to revitalise faltering economic growth. Chancellor John Healey said: "Local leaders know their communities best. Only by trusting them with real power and resources will we see change.

"This £700million package is helping break down the barriers to local growth, so people can feel the benefits of a growing economy and love where they live." LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Andy Burnham's devolution push to drive 90,000 jobs out of London Labour MP skewered on No10 North in scathing GB News grilling: 'Just shifting the Westminster bubble!' Martin Daubney defends GB News in furious clash with Labour peer: ‘Stop being preposterous!’

John Healey said local leaders 'know their communities best' | PA Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds argued that persistent complaints about ageing infrastructure, inadequate financing and planning difficulties had held the country back for too long. He said: "These are barriers that hold back investment, block new jobs, and shackle our potential, and we need to do more to empower our local leaders and help drive the growth their communities deserve and expect."

Mr Reynolds added the programme would "attract billions in investment, unlock tens of thousands of good-quality jobs in the years ahead, and bring good growth to every postcode." The government confirmed it is already in discussions with local partners about potential developments in Glasgow, Sheffield and a proposed science and technology park at Burgess Hill in Sussex. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds claimed 'barriers' were holding back growth | PA Further opportunities are being explored across Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, the West Midlands, South Yorkshire, the Liverpool City Region, the North East, the Glasgow City Region, and the Cardiff Capital Region.

South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said the accelerator would help realise the potential of the Runway Park innovation district in the Don Valley Corridor, where Boeing, Rolls-Royce and McLaren all have a presence. He said: "We can grow the industries of the future and create more good jobs, giving people across South Yorkshire the chance to stay near and go far." Bev Craig, who succeeded Mr Burnham as Greater Manchester Mayor, welcomed the programme as "a welcome step" towards addressing "complex infrastructure, remediation or delivery challenges".

Julia Lopez said Labour had been a 'disaster' | HOUSE OF COMMONS Conservative Shadow Business Secretary Julia Lopez dismissed the approach. She said: "If Labour were serious about backing business and getting our economy moving, they would be cutting taxes, reducing regulation and making it easier for firms to invest, grow and create jobs. "Instead, at the Budget, they went in completely the wrong direction." Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter Politics REVEALED: Real cost of joining EU's Customs Union as Britons issued warning that food price would be 'dearer' Politics Andy Burnham vows to put Britain back at heart of Commonwealth as PM seeks closer Caribbean ties Politics Shabana Mahmood hits back at claim Labour rebels forced £10billion immigration climbdown Politics Immigration reforms will save taxpayers billions of pounds from ballooning benefits bill, says Shabana Mahmood Politics Parents could face prison for opposing child's gender transition under draft Bill, report warns Politics Shabana Mahmood caves under pressure from rebel MPs as Home Secretary waters down migrant crackdown Politics Migrant benefits crackdown abandoned as Shabana Mahmood drops plans to block welfare access Politics DUP civil war erupts as MP quits over Orange Order parade row Politics Andy Burnham opens door to slavery payouts as Commonwealth nations seek 'justice' Politics Small boat migrants will be ELIGIBLE for indefinite leave to remain under Shabana Mahmood's watered down reforms Politics Labour admits ministers should not be 'beholden' to targets as 2030 clean energy goal in doubt Politics British food standards realigned with EU for first time since Brexit as pivotal summit approaches Politics Labour cuts ties with Greens in 11 local authorities over Zack Polanski’s 'Zionism is racism' policy Politics Andy Burnham says 'it is difficult to say whether migration is too high' as he stops short of ruling out cap Politics Labour grandee tells Andy Burnham to kickstart new 'tough love' system to tackle 'scar' on Britain Politics Small boat migrants working in Britain illegally 'can sue their bosses under Labour's new laws' as warning issued Politics Andy Burnham under fire after '£20k taxpayer-funded' jet flew from Stansted to Manchester to pick up PM Politics John Healey shatters Ed Miliband's Net Zero dream as Chancellor takes sledgehammer to funding Politics Britain 'exposed' to economic and national security risks from Beijing as Labour accused of 'making up China policy as it goes' Politics Nigel Farage warns Shabana Mahmood U-turn is 'beginning of the capitulation' as he vows to review migrant citizenships Politics Labour set to end half of council power-sharing agreements with Greens over 'Zionism is racism' policy Exclusive Politics 'So insulting!'

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