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Government invites Preston to bid for city deals

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has named Preston as one of twenty cities to be given the chance to bid for new powers to boost local growth through the second wave of City Deals.

According to the cabinet office, cities and their wider economic areas account for 74% of the country’s population and 78% of jobs. The governments City Deals are aimed at unlocking city growth, giving city leaders decisive action to draw in the interest of private investors.

While the first wave of City Deals concentrated on the eight largest cities in England, Nick Clegg’s announcement is aimed at the next fourteen largest cities and their wider areas which include Preston and Lancashire.

Nick Clegg said: “From control over buses and trains and the freedom to plug skills gaps, to powers to ‘earn back’ tax and set up local investment funds to spend on local projects – the deals are unlocking the huge potential of our cities so they can go for growth.”

City Deals is one objective set out by the government to boost the private sector growth. It is hoped that these deals will bring about innovative methods to drive growth.

Peter Rankin, leader of Preston City Council said: “We are delighted that Preston and Central Lancashire is recognised as an area of strong growth. The area has all the potential for future business development and job growth. We welcome the opportunity to negotiate a city deal working together with Government, Lancashire County Council and other partners, to make this growth even stronger for the benefit of Central Lancashire and the county as a whole.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Francesca Dent .