Byrne heralds East Birmingham Budget breakthrough

Liam Byrne MP, Chair of the East Birmingham task-force today heralded a breakthrough in his long-running campaign for new investment in East Birmingham.

Today’s Budget confirms the area - between the two new High Speed stations at Curzon Street and Birmingham International and which includes Liam’s Hodge Hill constituency - has won ‘Trailblazer Devolution Status’.

The deal means that at least £500 million of new money will flow to the East Birmingham & North Solihull Taskforce Zone together with several other zones across the West Midlands.

The Levelling Up Zone will allow retention of business rates locally for 25 years helping to drive further investment.

As Chair of the East Birmingham Taskforce, Liam has been working over the last two years with the City Council and the Mayor of the West Midlands, to develop the Trailblazer Devolution Deal.

The deal comes on top of over £500 million of investment secured for Hodge Hill on Liam’s watch for new schools, health centres and a hospital extension and new homes.

Liam Byrne said:

“This isn’t everything we wanted but its a big step forward.

“For two years we’ve been working patiently behind the scenes with ministers to give us devolved power over serious cash to make sure we connect East Birmingham to the huge new numbers of jobs that will be created by HS2 in the City centre and at Birmingham Airport.”

“If East Birmingham was a city it would be Britain’s 16th biggest city. It’s a place that’s home to 250,000 people - but the worst unemployment in Britain.

“That’s why this investment is so desperately needed. And today, we delivered a win for our residents.”

ENDS

The background on the East Birmingham Taskforce is here: https://www.liambyrnemp.co.uk/east-birmingham-inclusive-growth