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Exclusive: Communities Secretary Greg Clark on Birmingham's role in the 'radical devolution revolution'

Today, Bdaily spoke to Communities Secretary Greg Clark about Birmingham and Solihull benefiting from a multi-million pound investment boost. This is what he had to say about region’s prospects:

Driving economic growth lies at the heart of the Midlands Engine, with the area having the potential to grow by £34bn by 2030. We are absolutely determined to rebalance the economy and make sure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

That’s why from next month and the next five years the area will receive over £378m, as part of the Local Enterprise Partnership. There are 39 of these around the country made up of local businesses and councils; set up to drive local growth. By 2020, this funding is expected to deliver an extra 29,000 jobs and 7000 new homes in the Greater Birmingham & Solihull area.

Projects which will be delivered include improvements around Birmingham’s Snow Hill station making it easier for passengers to change between rail, bus and Metro; improving routes to the South Kidderminster Enterprise Park with Phase 2 of the Hoobrook Link Road, and help to bring forward at least 500 new homes in the area.

This is on top of the additional courses being offered at local colleges and new facilities at the Innovation Birmingham University campus to enable universities to collaborate with business start-ups. Work will also continue on schemes that will benefit those who live and work in the area, and maximise the potential gains of HS2.

These investments aren’t decided in London by Whitehall civil servants, but by local people who live, work and know their area best. The Local Growth Fund still has £1.8bn available and now Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP is preparing its proposal for a further round of Growth Deals.

We are in the midst of a radical devolution revolution, through which we are handing greater power and resources back to local people in the Birmingham – it will mean those who know the area best can make the best decisions for local residents.

- Communities Secretary Greg Clark

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