Cities minister Greg Clark has visited Liverpool to discuss progress on the City Deal with Mayor Joe Anderson.
Liverpool became the first city to agree new powers with Government in February 2012, aimed at giving it what it needs to attract private investment, close skills gaps and create new jobs.
The deal included a £75 million Mayoral Investment Fund which is acting as a catalyst for infrastructure projects and supporting further expansion of Liverpool’s already vibrant visitor economy, as well as promoting new ways of supporting local business which will benefit the wider city region creating 2,700 jobs across Liverpool and 4,200 across the city region.
During his visit, the Minister visited the site of Notre Dame Catholic College in Everton, one of 12 schools being built as part of the Mayor’s School Investment programme. It will open in September 2013.
The Minister also heard about the UK International Festival for Business 2014, funded through the City Deal. Billed as the global gathering of the world’s most inspiring businesses, it will take place in Liverpool and Wirral in June and July next year, including a site on the waterfront. The festival will be a global showcase of business, where the city region will play host to hundreds of world-class events attracting more than 250,000 visitors from across the globe.
Mayor Joe Anderson said: “I was delighted to be able to discuss with the Minister the progress that we have made since we agreed the City Deal last year.
“There is a renewed confidence in Liverpool, illustrated by the UK International Festival of Business 2014, the new Exhibition Hall planned for ACC Liverpool and the success we are having attracting cruise liners to the city.”
“We are already moving forward with delivering my pledges around skills, with work underway on the new Notre Dame Catholic College in Everton, as well as improving housing in areas from Anfield to Norris Green and creating hundreds of jobs and apprenticeships.”
Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Cities Minister, Greg Clark, said: “It was great to be back in Liverpool to see for myself how the City Deal is progressing under Mayor Anderson. Liverpool is taking great strides in becoming a globally competitive city.
“And with the £75 million Mayoral Development Fund, the Enterprise Zones and next year’s International Business Festival, it’s exciting to see the foundations being laid for future success.”
