Several South West areas and projects secure funding and support in Budget

Areas and projects across the South West secured direct funding and support in today’s Budget, announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

They include a new Plymouth and South Devon Freeport and multi-million-pound Town Deals for Bournemouth and Swindon.

Several areas in the region have been identified as priority places to receive support via the £4.8billion Levelling Up Fund and the £220million Community Renewal Fund.

Passenger services on the Okehampton-Exeter rail line are set to reinstated with the unlocking of more than £40million of funding while the West of England Combined Authority will receive £4.1million to boost transport infrastructure.

The airports at Bristol, Bournemouth, Exeter, Newquay and Land’s End will benefit from a six-month extension of the Airport and Ground Operations Support Scheme and Salisbury is one of seven places to gain from the £5.2billion flood and coastal defence programme.

Elsewhere, the government is contributing £10million towards the renovation and expansion of the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “Today’s Budget provides certainty in the months ahead for the people of the South West – with the cut in VAT to 5% for the hospitality, accommodation and tourism sectors, Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and furlough scheme all being extended through to September.

“I was also delighted to confirm that Plymouth Freeport was successful in the Freeports bidding process – bringing jobs, opportunity and investment to the region.

“This support is complemented by other measures in today’s Budget – and the more than £350billion we have invested since the start of the pandemic to protect millions of jobs and businesses.”