letter to the editor from Richard Corbett MEP |
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5 September 2005 |
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Huddersfield Daily Examiner |
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Sir, Eric Firth (letter, Aug 24 2005) argued that our region also needs regeneration funding from the European Union which he has seen operating so successfully in Waterford, Ireland. Indeed Ireland has received a lot of EU funding in recent years but so has our region. In fact Yorkshire receives more money from Europe than we put in. For example, South Yorkshire has been selected from the entire continent to receive the highest level of European Funding. This involves a £1.8 billion investment programme that aims to restructure the economy and restore prosperity with the help of over £700 million of European structural funds, alongside government and private funding. The new Kirklees Media Centre in Huddersfield is a good example of EU funds directed to support business growth, entrepreneurship, physical developments and economic developments. £180 million was also given to our region to help combat long term unemployment, increased training, encourage entrepreneurship and equal opportunities. Urban ll, yet another European programme going towards small, concentrated, deprived areas of towns and cities is targeted in West Yorkshire. Overall, Yorkshire and the Humber has received an inward investment of £11.1 billion over the last ten years, 360 companies from other EU member states operating in the region creating 40 000 jobs and also £1.2 billion investment through European Structural Funds. However, it is not all about regeneration. Our region has also benefited from the European Union in many other ways such as trade, workers' rights, consumer protection rules and environmental protection. Richard Corbett |
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