Dr Neil Hudson MP stood up in the House of Commons to champion the Conservative Government’s Levelling Up agenda, and the resulting £7.1 million funding for Rural Enterprise Hub that he helped secure to be developed in his constituency.
Designed to unlock rural economic potential in Eden, the Chancellor confirmed funding for the hub in his Autumn Statement. Bringing an estimated 80 businesses, 500 jobs and £20 million in economic benefits over the next 10 years – Dr Hudson fought hard to secure the project and with it a brighter future for the local economy.
You can read a full report into the green lit venture, here.
Questioning the Leader of the House, Penny Mordaunt, Dr Hudson praised the project as yet another success for the Conservative Government’s Levelling Up Agenda.
Penny Mordaunt congratulated Dr Hudson for his successful campaign, a testament to his efforts in steering Government policy.
Dr Neil Hudson MP asked:
“I was delighted that the Government has listened to me and responded positively to my campaigning for funding for the Rural Enterprise Hub in my constituency, with the Chancellor awarding us 7 million pounds as part of the Autumn Statement.
“This is a real shot in the arm for our rural community, providing jobs, an economic boost and truly is levelling up in action. Levelling up very much should be the whole of the United Kingdom towns, cities and rural areas - north, south, east and west. Which is exactly what this Conservative Government is doing.
“Please can we find time for a debate on the impact and benefits of levelling up for both rural and urban areas?”
Leader of the House, Penny Mordaunt replied:
“I congratulate my Hon. Friend on his success in his campaign and everyone who's worked on the rural enterprise hub in his constituency. He absolutely articulates correctly the ambition that was set out in the Levelling Up White Paper. And he will know that the second rural proofing report delivering for Rural England, which was published in September last year, showed a vision for what levelling up would look like in areas such as his.
“We are determined to deliver that, and he will know that DEFRA in particular have done some further work on unleashing rural opportunity and through that we will continue to build on all the work that we did in the original White Paper. I would encourage him to speak to the Secretary of State on Monday to further the additional asks I know he has.”
You can watch Dr Hudson’s intervention in Parliament from 11:49:00 here.
