IP/08/244
Brussels, 15 February 2008
Commissioner Hübner launches regional programme for Yorkshire and The Humber (England) Danuta Hübner, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, today launches a seven-year development programme for the United Kingdom's Yorkshire and The Humber region. She attends the ceremony at the invitation of the regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, and will sign programme documents with John Healey MP, Minister of State in the Department for Communities and Local Government. She will also meet John Prescott MP, former British Deputy Prime Minister, to discuss the UK's application for European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) support following last year's disastrous floods. Speaking ahead of the visit, Commissioner Hübner said: "The EU is contributing investment worth €583.5 million to the Yorkshire and The Humber programme, which has a strong focus on business, research and the environment. It shows clearly which way European investment should be heading."
On the UK's application for EUSF support to deal with flood damage incurred last June and July 2007, the Commissioner said: "The European Commission is determined to mobilise funds to help the regions affected to recover from this catastrophe." The official procedure to make available €162.3 million for the UK is underway.
Project visit: Advanced Manufacturing Park, Rotherham
The Commissioner will visit the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, a brownfield regeneration project where a manufacturing cluster is developing in the aerospace, automotive and metal application sectors. This project includes Sheffield University's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, set up with major investment from industrial partners, including Boeing.
One of the centre’s most interesting developments, the Factory of the Future, is scheduled to open its doors this summer to help businesses reduce the risks of new product development. The Factory of the Future will house more than 100 researchers, as well as cutting-edge production technology and manufacturing equipment, allowing businesses to make trial runs of new products before making high-risk investments. European Regional Development Fund(ERDF) contribution: € 8.3 million.
Notes for Editors
Launch of 2007-2013 programme for Yorkshire and the Humber
The region's programme has a total budget of €1.17 billion, and the EU contribution to this is €583.5 million. The programme is expected to help establish over 4,000 businesses, and to create over 28,000 jobs. A state-of-the-art broadband infrastructure network in South Yorkshire is among the key projects that will receive EU investment. The programme will promote a low-carbon economy by supporting projects which will have a significant impact on reducing gas emissions. (see MEMO/08/89 for more information on the programme).
Yorkshire and The Humber facts and figures: In 2007-2013, the region will benefit from €979 million (ERDF and European Social Fund combined). Yorkshire and The Humber will also take part in two new transnational programmes: 'North-West Europe', with Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland and Luxembourg (ERDF contribution: €355 million) and 'North Sea', with Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway (ERDF contribution: €138 million).
For 2000-2006, the region received €1.7 billion from Cohesion policy (ERDF, European Social Fund (ESF), European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund.)
United Kingdom programming - State of play: The UK is allocated €10.6 billion under Cohesion Policy for the next seven years. The European Commission has adopted all 16 programmes that the UK has submitted for co-funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in 2007-2013. This is also the case for six programmes co-funded by the ESF. The selection of projects can now start on the ground.
European Union Solidarity Fund: UK application for grant after flooding
Following severe floods last year, the European Commission last December accepted the UK‘s application for financial assistance from the EUSF, and proposed making available aid worth €162.3 million. Before these funds can be disbursed, the European Parliament and the Council (Member States), the budgetary authorities, have to give the green light (IP/07/1885). Today, when the Commissioner meets John Prescott MP, former British Deputy Prime Minister, she will emphasise the need to simplify Solidarity Fund procedures so that funds can be mobilised promptly after a catastrophe. In April 2005, the Commission proposed a revised Solidarity Fund regulation that would allow for advance payments to be made rapidly (see MEMO/05/111). Though the European Parliament was largely in favour, the proposal is still on the table of the Council.
Further information about European Regional Policy available at: http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/index_en.htm
