County Council Leader Cllr Simon Henig has lobbied the UK Treasury for a better funding deal from Europe.
He was part of a UK cross-party network of MP’s and local government representatives who met the Rt Hon Danny Alexander MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, this week to support the creation of Transition Regions.
Durham would be one of 11 across the country singled out for special recognition to safeguard their fragile economies and boost job creation. Durham would be linked with Tees Valley for the funding.
Cllr Henig said: “I firmly believe areas such as County Durham will benefit through the creation of Transition Regions in the next round of funding. It will significantly increase growth and jobs and the Chief Secretary acknowledged our arguments and the strength of feeling.
“We know there is move to reduce the European Union budget but this is all about a fairer distribution and how funds will support jobs, growth and inclusion.
“Increasing jobs and growth through Transition Region status, especially in the least prosperous parts of the country, would make a major contribution to the government’s objective of sustained and balanced growth that is more evenly shared across the country and between industries.”
There is an EU budget summit in Brussels later this month when the creation of Transition Regions will be discussed. If agreed, they will take affect from 2014.
