People in the town of Blyth are set to benefit from significant government investment aimed at leveling up the town and improving the lives of its residents. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has announced a wide-ranging package of interventions to upgrade poor-quality housing, tackle health inequalities, improve access to local jobs, and cut crime. The measures come just weeks after the government and local leaders signed the historic North East devolution deal.
The investment package includes an £18 million boost to repurpose run-down and empty homes into high-quality affordable housing, convert under-occupied offices into new apartments, and make social housing more energy-efficient. Almost £1.5 million will fund new high-tech training equipment at the town’s Energy Central Campus, providing local young people with a route to high-quality jobs in the green energy industry.
To reduce crime in Blyth, the government is investing £200,000 in extending CCTV provision in the town center and establishing a new partnership between local businesses and the police. These interventions will target anti-social behavior, substance misuse, and theft in particular. The government will also strengthen local partnerships between Jobcentre Plus and NHS services in Blyth to support more disabled people and those with health conditions to start, stay, and succeed in work.
Despite its significant economic potential, Blyth is the most deprived town in Northumberland. It is set for millions of pounds of investment to support its transition from a coal-exporting city to a major clean energy port. With this tailored package, the government aims to tackle the complex barriers holding Blyth back and unlock a major program of regeneration for the 40,000 people living in the area.
The investment in Blyth forms part of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ ‘deep dive’ program, working in partnership with local leaders and businesses to target investment and address the unique challenges of deprived towns. As with other areas identified in the Levelling Up White Paper as the most left behind in the country, the government aims to provide bespoke packages of support to help these areas unlock their potential.
Leveling Up Secretary Michael Gove said that Blyth had been deprived of opportunities for too long and that the package of measures would improve the lives of the local community. Minister for Employment, Guy Opperman, said that the boost to Blyth’s job market would help young people secure, stay, and succeed in higher quality, better-paying jobs in the green energy industry.
Source: Gov[Dot]UK
