RYEDALE’S MP has welcomed a series of investments in North Yorkshire from the UK government.

This funding is to support rural businesses in the county and aid opportunities to invest in nature.

£5,417,114 is to be invested in the county as part of the Rural Prosperity Fund, which aims to support rural businesses and create jobs.

Across England, £110 million in extra funding is being provided to local authorities to help support local businesses and community organisations, building on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and ‘Project Gigabit’.

Project Gigabit is the Conservative government’s flagship £5 billion programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband.

Investment to support communities and 'unleash potential for economy'

Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, said: “As a strong advocate for a fairer deal for the North, I welcome this funding as vital investment to support communities while unleashing the potential of our economy, creating new jobs and boosting the rural economy here in Thirsk and Malton.”

In addition, the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is to provide £1 million of funding to York and North Yorkshire via North Yorkshire Council through the Government's new Local Investment in Natural Capital programme (LINC).

The UK government defines this two-year programme - delivered by the Environment Agency – as a programme to test ‘what works’ in attracting investment into local priorities for nature.

Gazette & Herald: Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and MaltonKevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton (Image: Agency)

Mr Hollinrake said he welcomed the announcement, which also includes the government’s target of raising at least £500 million in private finance to support nature’s recovery every year by 2027 in England.

The Conservative added: “Constituents will know I'm working with local environment groups along with Yorkshire Water at the moment on sewage pollution, to help preserve and protect the beautiful environment we have here in North Yorkshire.


Read next:


“Local authorities also have a key role to play in supporting this ambition, identifying opportunities that deliver for people, business, and the natural environment.”

Over the next two years, the government will work with York and North Yorkshire in a bid to build green finance capacity and capability.

The government will also provide access to specialist expertise and support from Defra’s Arm’s Length Bodies, and co-ordinate peer support and networking to realise York and North Yorkshire plans to develop a natural capital investment plan.

“I look forward to seeing York and North Yorkshire continue to forge the way, demonstrating to other local areas how partners can work together to secure private investment that delivers for people, business, nature and climate,” added Mr Hollinrake.