Local MP Alan Campbell MP was delighted that the Commission has approved the region’s programme for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Competitiveness Funding up to 2013.  The North East is set to receive about £255m from the fund, an additional £36m per year to augment domestic economic development resources.

North East England was one of the first English regions to secure European Commission approval for our programme, which is one of the largest in the country.  It is a key milestone and the ERDF already talking to partners to raise awareness of opportunities for engagement with the new programme.

Mr Campbell said ‘This is fantastic news not only for Tynemouth but for the whole region.  £255m is a lot of money and will mean investment in keys areas of our economic development plan which is underpinned by commitments to environmental sustainability, equality of opportunity and sustainable communities'.