It is hoped that City Deal will lead to the creation of 28,000 new jobs in the next 20 years and in the future will generate around £1.75bn of economic growth in the city every year.
The Deal will also provide targeted support to more than 4000 ill or disabled people in or looking for work and to 15,000 young people over the next three years.
The infrastructure fund will be used to build an airport railway link, investment in roads and public transport and employment programmes.
Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance, said today:
“The Poverty Alliance welcomes this investment in Glasgow.
“This investment in Glasgow’s infrastructure is much needed, and we are particularly pleased that money will be used to create new jobs in the city, particularly for young people and for ill and disabled people.
“However it is important that this investment reaches those who need it most and that regeneration succeeds where it has not in the past.
“There is a need to look beyond simply the number of jobs created to the type of jobs we are attracting. We hope that these funds will be used to create well paid, quality work which can help lift people out of poverty.
“In parts of Glasgow, half of children are growing up in poverty. Action needs to be taken to ensure that these young people benefit from the fund too. We have seen real commitment in recent years to address poverty in Glasgow through the work of the Poverty Leadership Panel. These new resources must help make the ambitions of Glasgow’s anti-poverty plans a reality.”
ENDS
For more information on the Poverty Leadership Panel visit: http://povertyleadershippanel.org.uk/
For more information contact Carla McCormack, Policy and Parliamentary Officer on 07853860893 or email carla.mccormack@povertyalliance.org