Supporting Local Economic Recovery & Growth Conference

The Local Economic Recovery & Growth Conference will provide leading policy and funding updates from MHCLG and UKRI directed towards driving local .. Read more economic growth & recovery in the aftermath of COVID-19. The decrease in UK GDP has been a direct result of the on-going Covid-19 pandemic, which has dramatically impacted cash-strapped local authorities, businesses, higher education institutions and halted economic growth across the UK. In response to the Covid-19 crisis, the government launched a range of funding packages to support businesses through the pandemic, as well as help kick start the economic recovery process. In May 2020, The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) established The Reopening High Streets Safely Fund, supplying £50 million to support the recovery of high streets and introduced a range of safety measures in a move to get people shopping again. Furthermore, in July 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled his New Deal, which plans to invest £5billion in infrastructure projects to help boost economic recovery, encourage growth, and create jobs across the UK. This was backed up by MHCLG establishing a comprehensive new £500m funding package for councils to help address Covid-19 pressures and cover lost income during the pandemic, which was a part of the £27billion package to support councils, businesses and residents across the UK. Finally, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) announced £186 million worth of investment for seven research and development projects for HEI that would boost economic growth in their local areas, as part of the Strength in Places Fund in June 2020.