Nick Clegg visits Bristol to announce £1 billion fund
DEPUTY Prime Minister Nick Clegg was due to visit Bristol today to announce a £1 billion business support fund.
The Liberal Democrat leader will join fellow Cabinet ministers at the government's manufacturing summit, which is being held at the new £300 million Bristol & Bath Science Park in Emersons Green.
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Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg
Beforehand, he will be joined by Business Secretary Vince Cable at GKN Aerospace in Bristol to open the company's new £150 million manufacturing centre.
Mr Clegg was set to announce that the latest phase of the Regional Growth Fund, the government's flagship business growth policy, is open for bids.
The RGF has been criticised for failing to get money to the successful bidders on time. Today Mr Clegg was expected to confirm that 48 of the successful bidders from rounds one and two of the RGF have completed the legal checks and now have access to the funds.
Ministers say the grants unlock extra private funding and create jobs.
Grants are aimed at areas that have been heavily dependent on public sector employment.
Comments
by bs3vale
Thursday, February 23 2012, 12:42PM
“Bristol isn't allowed to grow. A judicial Review will be lodged and that will stop any development taking place in Bristol.
Thanks for the offer of £150m but you best send it somewhere like Cardiff, Nottingham where it would be used.”