Burnley MP Antony Higginbotham column: Levelling up is my central aim

Levelling up Burnley and Padiham was and remains at the core of what I want to achieve for our borough.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

It’s what I stood for election promising and is what I am determined more than ever to see happen.

And I know the Prime Minister shares this view too, using the Green Industrial Revolution to set out an ambitious 10 point plan, focusing on how we can protect the environment whilst levelling up areas of the country like ours that need reinvigorating.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It goes without saying that the Coronavirus pandemic has hit our businesses hard, and in that we’re not alone.

Burnley MP Antony HigginbothamBurnley MP Antony Higginbotham
Burnley MP Antony Higginbotham

All across the country, indeed the world, we have seen the focus shift to protecting people from what is a truly awful disease; whilst at the same time, putting in as much support as we can for those businesses that are directly impacted by the measures we had to take.

None of us wanted, nor foresaw what we have endured since March. At the start of 2020, only months into the job, I certainly did not anticipate a global pandemic that we have all been battling.

2020 has been bleak for us but there is now light at the end of the tunnel. The news of multiple contenders for a successful vaccine is on the horizon and although only time will tell, what we are hearing is encouragingly positive.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But what remains in focus is what was originally set out to be achieved. Bringing Burnley and Padiham to the forefront of attention at the highest level; making sure that our borough is no longer forgotten and ensuring we see investment in the infrastructure we need.

Because we don’t need reliance, we need to create the environment for us to flourish and that’s what the levelling up agenda is all about.

Giving areas like ours the tools to succeed.

Part of this is delivering schemes like Pioneer Place, which Government has put significant funding towards.

This is a scheme that will reinvigorate Burnley town centre, turning it into a leisure destination that brings more footfall to our shops and cafes from the surrounding areas.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This is just the tip of the iceberg though. Of even greater significance is the prospect of securing a Town Deal for our borough; to deliver major investment and change, setting us up for economic success.

And this week in Parliament I raised, not for the first time, Burnley’s bid for this funding, setting out why, now more than ever, it is vital for our future prosperity and continuing my significant lobbying for it.

I was also able to speak to the Prime Minister about it directly, highlighting how much of a game changer it would be. Bringing together all our local stakeholders, including Burnley College, the football club and our SMEs, to create a vision for our future post-Covid.

And when it comes to delivery this would be supported by a significant investment by the Government – of up to £25 million – ensuring that public and private investment works hand-in- hand.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

We need a bold plan to create a Burnley for the future, one which is both attractive for businesses and somewhere that we are all proud to call it home.

If the Towns Deal bid is successful it will completely transform our area for the better, setting us on course for future prosperity. And having stood on a promise to level up, because I believe we deserve better, I will continue to fight publicly and privately, night and day, to make sure that is exactly what is delivered.