Growth

My Role
I am working with partners across the region, and with Government Departments to ensure we get the right growth in the right places, and that we support it appropriately to make sure it is sustainable and equitable. I will engage local authorities and others in the challenges the region faces to deliver needed growth, and represent the views of the region to other Ministers with responsibilities for driving and supporting growth.

I chair the Regional Partnership Group (which provides high-level leadership for joint initiatives within the region). I am also chair of the Northstowe Cross Government Liaison Group, which co-ordinates budgets and delivery from central and local partners on this high profile Cambridgeshire development, cited by the Prime Minister as a prototype for the Eco-towns programme.

Our priorities
Growth is not simply about housing. It is critical that infrastructure, services and employment opportunities are all provided together.  Government departments are working closely together to co-ordinate funding for quality public services, jobs and infrastructure such as new schools, hospitals, transport and leisure facilities.

We are determined to provide the affordable homes needed by our key workers and young families, while at the same time protecting the countryside and preventing urban sprawl. That's why 67% of all new building in the region is now on brownfield land compared to 56% in 1997.

We are working hard to tackle the increasing difficulty of housing affordability in the region by investing £711m over the next three years to help deliver 23,000 affordable homes.

Good transport links are essential to maintain successful new communities. Funding for local public transport in the East of England has increased from £56m in 2000-1 to £159m in 2006-07. In addition £200m is being provided by Government to help local authorities deliver major road and public transport schemes across the region.