After making a firm commitment to secure more funding for Mansfield and Warsop, Ben Bradley MP is delighted with news that Mansfield is being awarded a £12.3 million Town Deal. Alongside this, Ben has also obtained an additional £150,000 to put together a business case for the Levelling Up Fund, which can bring even more money to the area.
Mansfield’s need for Town Deal funding was continuously highlighted by Ben, who argued that Mansfield has not always benefitted from economic growth in the same way as more prosperous areas, despite its proud industrial and economic heritage. The Town Deal includes various projects such as investment in a new Meden Sports Centre, with funding provided from Sport England, and cycling infrastructure improvement.
Ben Bradley MP has also welcomed news that Mansfield is being awarded an additional £150,000 to put together a business case for the Levelling Up Fund. This will give Mansfield and Warsop the opportunity to bid for even more funding, on top of the £12.3 million that has already been awarded.
This has been an area that Ben has consistently lobbied the Government on. Whilst working with the All Party Parliamentary Group for Left Behind Neighbourhoods, Ben recently called for a ‘Left Behind Communities’ Fund to support parts of the country most in need of investment. The Government then announced the Levelling Up Fund, which will invest in local infrastructure that has a visible impact on people and their communities. It will run from 2021/22 to 2024/25, and drive regeneration in places in need, those facing particular challenges, and areas that have received less government investment in recent years. The £4.8 billion scheme is available UK-wide. In November, Ben took an opportunity during Business Question questions to request that funding was made available for Mansfield and Warsop.
Ben is keen to contribute to a successful business case and is pleased that the Levelling Up Fund has been written with a formal requirement for the MP’s involvement.
Ben has taken every opportunity possible to fight for funding for Mansfield and Warsop and this has not gone unnoticed by Government. Recently, the Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government Robert Jenrick MP described Ben as a “doughty champion for Mansfield”. Minister Kelly Tolhurst MP has also acknowledged that Ben is a “passionate campaigner for his town”.
Commenting, Ben Bradley MP said:
“I am delighted with this news and it’s great to see that my hard work banging on the doors of Ministers and working with local stakeholders has paid off! I’ve been determined to secure this funding and our £12.3 million Town Deal will make a massive difference across Mansfield and Warsop.
“The £12.3 million is just the beginning of investment in Mansfield. It’s even better that we’ve got the chance to secure even more cash through the Levelling Up Fund. The Levelling Up Fund was made for communities like ours where we’ve not been prioritised and fallen behind compared to other areas. I’m pleased that I’m able to use my position as the Member of Parliament to fight for our town and make Mansfield a priority.
“Since becoming the Member of Parliament for Mansfield and Warsop, I’ve made it my key aim to ensure we’re put on the map and that Government focuses on our community. Today’s announcement has shown that Government is listening to us, and I am confident that we will continue to receive massive investment in our town.”
