Chris Huhne

Good news for manufacturers, families and young people – Chris Huhne

Commenting on measures announced in the Autumn Statement that will benefit businesses, families and young people in Eastleigh, Chris Huhne said:

“There is a lot of good news for Eastleigh and Hampshire in the Autumn Statement, such as the funding of a Solent Enterprise Zone through the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership.

“These are difficult times but the Liberal Democrats are determined to do the right thing and keep Britain safe from the debt storm of the market turmoil in Europe and elsewhere.

“As we take the difficult decisions needed to clean up Labour’s mess, the Liberal Democrats have prioritised more childcare for thousands of families and more support to get young people into work in Eastleigh and across Hampshire.

“The Coalition has also set out a plan to get Britain building by investing in housing, infrastructure and giving manufacturing the boost it deserves. These measures will help create jobs and growth and allow our area to thrive.”

 

Notes

Details of Autumn Statement:

• LEPs in the South East will receive nearly £95m as part of the Growing Places Fund.
• A £1bn “Youth Contract” announced by Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg last week to create jobs and apprenticeships for young people.
• Doubling the number of two year-olds eligible for free early-years education.
• Up to £1.4bn to build additional classrooms and schools in areas which need it the most.
• The Coalition Government will increase funding for the Regional Growth Fund in England by £1bn, and extend the lifetime of the Fund to 2014-15 to provide ongoing support for private sector growth in areas currently dependent on the public sector.
• The Coalition Government is committed to ensuring that manufacturing is able to remain competitive during the shift to a low carbon economy and to minimising the ‘carbon leakage’ which might happen if investment relocated abroad. The Coalition intends to implement measures to reduce the impact of policy on the costs of electricity for the most electricity-intensive industries, beginning in 2013 and worth around £250m over the Spending Review period.

Previously announced:

• Solent LEP has secured funding for the Solent area through the Regional Growth Fund. This includes £2.1m directed to Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and £5.5m to increase the capacity of Platform Road in Southampton.
• LEPs in the South East will receive nearly £95m as part of the Growing Places Fund.