- Spending Review commits to billions of pounds to help tackle coronavirus next year, including £18 billion to fund our programmes on community testing, test and trace, PPE and vaccines.
- Increased funding to deliver stronger public services – including in schools, hospitals and our police force.
- £100 billion capital spending including infrastructure to drive UK’s recovery and support jobs – levelling up across the United Kingdom as we build back better from coronavirus.
- £18 million for the Borderlands regeneration project for 2021-22
Dr Neil Hudson MP has welcomed the Spending Review which provides billions of pounds in the fight against coronavirus and invests in the UK’s recovery.
On Wednesday, the Government set out an ambitious plan that focuses on levelling up across the country, investing in vital infrastructure that will ensure the UK builds back better from coronavirus.
As part of the Government’s commitments to fund the nation’s priorities, the Spending Review confirmed:
- A further £55 billion to help with our response to coronavirus – including £18 billion for mass testing, Test and Trace, PPE and vaccines, and £3 billion to support NHS recovery.
- A funding boost for the NHS. Next year, the health budget will grow by £6.6 billion, allowing us to deliver 50,000 more nurses and 50 million more GP appointments. We are investing in new technologies, building 40 new hospitals, upgrading 70 more and replacing the vast majority of ageing diagnostic equipment.
- More money for schools, meaning every pupil in the country will see a year-on-year funding increase of at least 2 per cent. We are also funding our commitment to rebuild 500 schools over the next decade and are providing £375 million to deliver the Prime Minister’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee.
- £400 million to recruit 6,000 new police officers – meaning we are on track to meet our manifesto pledge to recruit 20,000 more police officers by 2023.
- More than £24 billion investment in defence – the biggest sustained increase in 30 years – allowing us to provide security not just for our country but around the world.
- An increase in core spending power for local authorities by an estimated 4.5 per cent, along with over £3 billion of additional coronavirus support and an extra £254 million of funding to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.
- Capital spending of £100 billion next year, meaning vital investment in roads, rail, hospitals, schools, broadband and housing.
- A new Levelling Up Fund, worth £4 billion in England and £800 million in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, to build the infrastructure of everyday life.
- A new National Infrastructure Strategy, and a new UK infrastructure bank - headquartered in the north of England - to work with the private sector to finance major new investment projects across the UK.
- Support for every country across the United Kingdom, increasing Scottish Government funding by £2.4 billion, Welsh Government funding by £1.3 billion, and £900 million for the Northern Ireland Executive.
Commenting, Dr Neil Hudson said:
“I was pleased to see that the Government has committed to delivering a comprehensive package to the entire UK as we recover from the Coronavirus crisis.
“The Chancellor’s Spending Review tackles this unprecedented situation head on – ensuring lives and livelihoods in Penrith and The Border are protected and supported in the weeks and months ahead.
“I am delighted that the Government is investing in our vital public services and also delivering a once-in-a-generation investment in infrastructure of £4bn that will create jobs, grow the economy and really help our communities.
As a Border MP, I particularly welcome that the Government is providing £18 million from the total £30 million funding for the Borderlands regeneration project for 2021-22. This will help to promote prosperity and connectivity around and across the English-Scottish Border.
Rural isolation (both physically through transport links and virtually through broadband speeds) has long been a concern of residents in Penrith and The Border and I was delighted that the Government is taking steps to address these issues. It is investing in broadband as part of a £100bn package in capital spending and furthermore, there will be over £260 million put aside to continue the transformative digital infrastructure programmes, including the Shared Rural Network for 4G coverage.
The Government has also shown a strong commitment to investing in flood defences, which is such an important issue for our area.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak MP said:
“Today’s Spending Review delivers the priorities of the British people. Our health emergency is not yet over, and the economic emergency has only just begun; so our immediate priority is to protect people’s lives and livelihoods.
“But today’s Spending Review also delivers stronger public services - paying for new hospitals, better schools and safer streets. And it delivers a once-in-a-generation transformation in our approach to infrastructure. Creating jobs, growing the economy, and increasing pride in the places people call home.”