General Election 2015: Tories pledge 160,000 new jobs to West Midlands

THE Conservatives have pledged to create 160,000 new jobs for the West Midlands should they be elected to Government following the General Election.

Many of the jobs would be created by an extension of the Birmingham Enterprise Zone.

This would cover all of the Curzon Street regeneration masterplan area, and extend the period over which business rates are retained locally. This would allow the Local Enterprise Partnership to fund major transport improvements in the city, and regenerate the area around the new station planned for HS2.

It would also create a new round of Enterprise Zones to help attract jobs and investment. Mr Osborne cited the success of the i54 development north of Wolverhampton and home to Jaguar Land Rover’s £500m engine manufacturing centre as an example of what could be achieved.

There would also be further backing for the universities of the West Midlands, by creating a new generation of prestigious Regius Professorships.

Furthermore, the party has also said it will boost family incomes for 2.4m people in the region by cutting income tax; create 350,000 apprenticeships, 100,000 new good primary school places, and offer working families 30 hours of free childcare a week.

There would be support for home ownership with Help to Buy, and an extension of the Right to Buy to all 245,000 housing association tenants in the West Midlands.

Also pledged is a £5.2bn transport investment with plans to improve the M6 and M42, and upgrade the M5 and A5.

The pledge was delivered by George Osborne during a speech in Birmingham to business leaders.

Mr Osborne said: “Our Plan for the working people of the West Midlands is ambitious, and has a clear timetable for delivery.  It means new investment and new jobs year on year. The Conservative Party that can point to a track record of success in the West Midlands – and we’re the only party offering the West Midlands a clear plan and a real vision for the future.”  

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