WELCOME NEWS FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Originally posted July 16th 2010

Local MP Andrew George has welcomed the news that a local company has been given the go-ahead for grant funding after fears that it would lose out on vital European Convergence aid.

Spiral Construction Ltd, a specialist staircase manufacturer based in Helston, had received verbal approval for a grant under ERDF Convergence but the offer letter was withheld when an apparent freeze was placed on Convergence projects in Cornwall.

Mr George called on the Leader of the House of Commons yesterday to urge Ministers to address these concerns.

He asked the Leader, Rt. Hon Sir George Young MP, to call Ministers from the Treasury and Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to the Commons to answer urgent questions on the impact of the decision by the South West Regional Development Agency to halt vital economic development projects under Cornwall’s European Convergence Programme.

Earlier in the week, Mr George also asked the Business Secretary, Rt. Hon Vince Cable MP, to intervene to restore the European Regional Aid.

Spiral Construction Ltd has now been told by the Regional Development Agency that their case has been resolved and that an offer letter will be sent out shortly.

Mr George said: “I am pleased that common sense is prevailing. There is still more to do and I will be hoping to make further progress early next week.”