£115m invested in 45 Yorkshire infrastructure projects in Government's Getting Building Fund

Across England successful projects will receive a portion of the £900m Getting Building Fund, announced by the Prime Minister in June, with the investment expected to deliver up to 45,000 homes, create up to 85,000 jobs and reduce around 65 million kgs of CO2 emissions across the country.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said the funding will not only “give a much needed boost” to the country’s economic recovery after the pandemic, but will also “help build the good quality, affordable homes the country needs”.

In Yorkshire, some of the projects include schemes to provide cycle infrastructure upgrades in Hull, improvements for Barnsley College, and the furthering of the Parkwood development in Sheffield.

Investment will be available for businesses in West Yorkshire through the scheme, and in Huddersfield the George Hotel will be redevelopment to provide office space and leisure facilities.

In Leeds a new river crossing will link the railway station to the HS2 development zone, and a new transport hub will be created at the Corn Exchange.

A digital skills academy will be built in York, and the city’s Guildhall will also be fitted out as office space and a business start up location.

Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis said more than £33m had been secured for his area.

He said: “This investment will strengthen our digital infrastructure, improve learning spaces within our schools and colleges, support businesses and create new walking and cycling infrastructure. It will help our effort to make South Yorkshire stronger, greener and fairer as we build back from Covid.

“But rather than providing us with piecemeal funding as they have been doing, I’m calling on the Government to fully back our Renewal Action Plan. With this plan, South Yorkshire stands ready to deliver not just recovery, but a renewal that tackles some of the deepest challenges facing our economy and society.”

West Yorkshire received £52.6m and Susan Hinchcliffe, chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and leader of Bradford Council, said: “The 15 projects that were put forward to receive funding are integral to West Yorkshire’s economic recovery plan and will ensure the benefits are felt across a wide range of communities and economic sectors.

“The projects focus on areas vital to a successful, and inclusive recovery, such as regenerating our towns and cities, support for business investment and jobs growth as well as opening up new walking and cycling routes.”

Mr Jenrick said: “As we get Britain building we are also laying the foundations for a green economic recovery by investing in vital infrastructure for local communities, creating jobs and building environmentally-friendly homes with a huge £1.3bn investment announced today.

“This government is determined to level up all parts of the country and this funding will not only give a much needed boost to our economic recovery, it will help build the good quality, affordable homes the country needs.”

Details of the Government’s new £2bn Green Homes Grant scheme, which will see the Government fund up to two-thirds of the cost of home improvements of more than 600,000 homes, have also been announced.

To take part in the scheme, tradespeople must register for TrustMark accreditation which will cover green home improvements ranging from wall insulation, floors and roofs to the installation of low-carbon heating – measures which the Government says could help homeowners save up to £600 a year on their energy bills.

Households on low income can receive vouchers covering 100 per cent of the cost of the improvements, up to a maximum of £10,000.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “Green home improvements will save people money on their energy bills, help to cut carbon emissions, and create new work for many thousands of builders, plumbers and other tradespeople.

“Our TrustMark scheme will guarantee that building work is completed to a high standard by accredited tradespeople, ensuring consumers are fully protected.”