Today, during Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy questions, Ben Bradley MP continued his campaign secure funding and investment to benefit residents across Mansfield and Warsop.
Mr Bradley asked what steps the Department was taking to increase private sector investment in innovation, and highlighted the fact that the East Midlands has an “oven ready package”. He urged Government to back plans for an East Midlands Freeport, the potential of the Development Corporation and to recognise the importance of Toton having a role in the Integrated Rail Plan.
The Mansfield MP is keen to secure Government support for these projects in order to bring better jobs to Mansfield and Warsop. The Freeport is estimated to lead to 23,000 indirect jobs – ie supply chain in the region including Mansfield – as well as those created on the sites themselves, which is estimated to be another 25,000. By including Toton in the Integrated Rail Plan, Mansfield will also be better connected and allow constituents to access higher-paid jobs.
The Minister assured Ben that Government wants to support and fund innovation around the whole country, not just the “golden triangle”. He also praised Ben’s “tireless” work on levelling up.
Commenting, Ben Bradley MP said:
“I’m pleased I had another opportunity to seek Government’s support for our key projects. This could be life-changing for many people in Mansfield and Warsop by creating tens of thousands of new, well paid jobs right on our doorstep! Toton is also key in connecting residents in Mansfield to those jobs, so it will be massive for us if that is approved in the Integrated Rail Plan. The projects work together hand in hand and will be integral to bringing more opportunities to my constituents.
“I’ve shared my vision with countless Ministers, as well as the Prime Minister, and I’ll continue fighting for investment. We’ve constantly been at the bottom of the table in terms of attracting this kind of investment, so I am doing everything I can to make sure our region is at the heart of the Government’s levelling up plans. This potential job creation in Nottinghamshire will play a big part in improving the life chances for people in Mansfield, so I will continue to raise this in Parliament.”
