Significant Financial Support to Enhance Blyth

Residents of Blyth are poised to gain from considerable government funding to uplift the town by improving substandard housing, addressing health issues, enhancing job accessibility, and curbing crime—fulfilling the Prime Minister’s commitment to economic growth and equitable opportunity nationwide.

This extensive set of measures from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities comes shortly after the signing of the landmark North East devolution deal between the government and regional leaders.

The measures announced today include:

• Housing: An £18 million investment will convert neglected and vacant homes into quality affordable rentals and transform under-utilized office spaces into new apartments. Part of the funding will focus on enhancing energy efficiency in social housing.
• Employment assistance: Nearly £1.5 million will provide cutting-edge training resources at the town’s Energy Central Campus, equipping local youths with pathways to valuable jobs nearby.
• Crime reduction: A £200,000 initiative aimed at lowering crime rates in Blyth, which includes expanded CCTV coverage in the town center and a new collaboration between local businesses and law enforcement. These actions will specifically target anti-social behavior, substance abuse, and theft.
• Health initiatives: Strengthening local collaborations between Jobcentre Plus and NHS services in Blyth, ensuring better support for individuals with disabilities and health conditions in securing and maintaining employment. The DHSC is also partnering with Northumberland Council to assist more smokers in quitting, complementing the recently allocated £35 million to tackle health disparities across the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System over the next three years.

Despite its vast economic potential, particularly with thousands of new jobs expected in the green energy sector in the coming years, Blyth is currently the most deprived town in Northumberland. It has now been selected for substantial investment to aid its transition from a coal-exporting community to a prominent clean energy port.

This targeted package aims to address the multifaceted obstacles hindering Blyth’s progress and to unlock an extensive regeneration program for the 40,000 residents in the area. This follows similar tailored packages in Grimsby and Blackpool, forming part of DLUHC’s ‘deep dive’ initiative, which collaborates with local leaders and businesses to focus investment on unique challenges faced by underprivileged towns. Northumberland was highlighted in the Levelling Up White Paper as among the areas most in need of support.

The newly announced funding increases DLUHC’s investments in Blyth to over £56 million since 2019.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove stated:

Blyth has long suffered from a lack of opportunities to fully harness its remarkable potential.

Addressing these deep-rooted challenges necessitates a bold response, which is why we’ve collaborated with local leaders to devise a plan that will transform the lives of residents.

By revitalizing deteriorated housing, enhancing skills for the next generation, and tackling crime, this town is finally receiving the investment and focus it deserves for everyone to prosper.

Minister for Employment, Guy Opperman, remarked:

A £1.5 million boost to Blyth’s employment sector will help young individuals secure, retain, and thrive in higher-paying jobs within the green energy industry, a cause I am deeply passionate about.

I am confident these initiatives will position Blyth as a hub of opportunity, growth, and prosperity.

Councillor Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County Council, commented:

This investment marks a significant milestone and is excellent news for Blyth. It enables us to provide better housing, enhance neighborhoods, and reduce crime in collaboration with Northumbria Police, local enterprises, and the community.

Investment at the Energy Central Campus, along with support to integrate NHS and Job Centre services, will help residents find jobs in the burgeoning clean energy sector.

Today’s announcement supplements the million-pound investments already planned through our Energising Blyth Programme and the Northumberland Line, allowing us to further realize Blyth’s vast potential within the Northumberland and North East economy.

Alan Ferguson OBE, Chair of the Blyth Town Deal Board and Owner of Ferguson’s Transport, stated:

This investment truly enhances Blyth, allowing us to implement necessary improvements. The support will expedite our collaborative efforts to develop, renew, and connect the town, ensuring local residents are included in the available opportunities.

It will spur collaboration between the business sector, public agencies, and community partners to effect tangible change on issues crucial to the community.

Blyth is already an incredible town in many aspects, and this investment will elevate it even further as a desirable place to live, work, and invest.

This announcement builds upon significant government efforts to uplift Blyth, which includes a £20.9 million Town Deal and over £11 million from the Future High Streets Fund for transportation, cultural, and regeneration initiatives.

An extra £4.75 million has been allocated to develop industrial sites locally, while Northumberland County Council is set to receive £19.1 million through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and £1.4 billion over three decades via the North East devolution deal.

When integrated with other levelling up projects in the broader region, these investments have the potential to deliver substantial benefits to Blyth.