Question

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the implementation of Shropshire's Growth Deal.

So far, £7bn has been awarded to Local Enterprise Partnerships through Growth Deals. £83m has been awarded to the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership which includes £11.6m for projects in Shropshire, including £5m for super-fast broadband, £4.2m for the construction of the Oxon Link Road near Shrewsbury, and £2.4m for the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package which will upgrade six major junctions to ease congestion in and around the town.

In the recent Marches Growth Deal Expansion the Government also committed to support the development of a new university college at Shrewsbury, an initiative being supported by a £17m loan from the Public Works Loan Board.