West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has welcomed a major boost for Malvern residents as the Government confirmed a £6.5 million fund to help boost economic growth and prosperity.

Wychavon District Council will receive £4 million through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Malvern Hills District Council will receive £2.5 million to help communities to regenerate themselves, tackle economic decline and support economic growth.

The funds replaces an annual cash award that was channelled through the Local Enterprise Partnerships from European funding and Harriett recently quizzed the Government on plans to introduce this support.

The award is part of a £2.6 billion investment programme confirmed yesterday and replaces schemes that were delivered by the EU. The money is intended to help councils to deliver on projects that will make a difference to their communities and help them to fulfil their potential.

Harriett commented:

“This is amazing news for people who live in Malvern Hills and Wychavon and I am glad that every part of the country will be able to spend money on projects which it knows will make a difference and make their community better.

“I asked a series of questions in Parliament about how we can properly fund the lifelong skills agenda and I hope that funds can be used to help us to save Malvern Hills College and preserve teaching at this important site.

“In Pershore, I have long been a supporter of the plans to improve the train station and this is just the sort of fund which could be used to support that project.

“Public transport links for young people are especially important and I plan to explore whether we can help to fund public transport for younger people through this scheme.

“More people would like to be able to choose active, train or bus travel to get to and from their study or work and these funds could help with this.

“I see this money as a springboard to delivering on our ambition for the county and I plan to discuss this funding with the council’s chief executive shortly.”

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove added:

“The UK Shared Prosperity Fund will help to unleash the creativity and talent of communities that have for too long been overlooked and undervalued.

“By targeting this funding at areas of the country that need it the most, we will help spread opportunity and level up in every part of the United Kingdom.”