Dodgy and Murky selection process for winners questioned by powerful Parliamentary Committee
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has demanded greater transparency over the selection process for the Towns Fund, that’s the Government scheme under which 101 so-called left-behind areas were chosen to apply for up to £25m each. Blyth is one of those Towns.
It’s believed that the 101 chosen places to receive the ‘Golden Ticket’ have been chosen to massage areas politically and although these areas do need some help to regenerate their high streets and towns the judgement used by Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick and Jake Berry, his junior minister, appears to be very suspect indeed.
Government MP’s have faced criticism over funding awarded to areas in their own constituencies. Last month Mr Jenrick described the selection process as “robust and fair”, but a new report from the very influential public accounts committee of MPs has concluded that the justifications given by ministers for their choices were “vague and based on sweeping assumptions”.
Many of the areas chosen are in the now very precarious for the Conservatives ‘Red Wall’ areas and other constituencies where Tories have won by a narrow margin and have not been chosen purely on merit.
The National Audit Office also looked into selection and Blyth on their scorecard is described as a Town in the North West of England. Some Tory MP’s whose towns have lost out are wondering why Blyth in Northumberland a former ‘Red Wall’ seat has been chosen instead?
Notes on National Noise against the Governments chosen Few:
https://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/paying-the-price-of-first-past-the-post-towns-fund-millions-spent-on-marginal-seats/
https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/north-east-loses-out-ministers-18635154
https://www.taxpayersalliance.com/new_towns_fund_is_not_the_answer_to_england_s_forgotten_towns
https://www.nao.org.uk/report/review-of-the-town-deals-selection-process/
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