Mohammad Yasin (Labour) MP for Bedford and Kempston joined DCMS Minister Stephanie Peacock MP and local authority leaders from across the region in Bedford for a roundtable on Universal’s proposed development.
Describing it as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for Bedfordshire and the wider region, the meeting brought together representatives from across the region alongside Mid Beds MP Blake Stephenson (Conservative), the DCMS and Universal.
The roundtable gave local authorities a chance to set out their priorities, discuss the support needed from Government, and explore how authorities across the region can work together to maximise the benefits of the investment.
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Mohammad Yasin (Labour) MP for Bedford and Kempston said: “There is a real sense of excitement about what this investment could mean for Bedfordshire and the wider region.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create jobs, develop skills and creative industries, attract further investment and strengthen our economy.
“The Labour Government has been very supportive of this ambition, and it was particularly valuable to have Stephanie Peacock involved in today’s discussion.
“Government has an important role to play in helping create the conditions for this investment to succeed, supporting the infrastructure and skills we need and making sure the benefits of growth are felt as widely as possible.
“I also want to congratulate Universal on the approach they have taken to engagement so far and thank the team for their continued dialogue with Government, local authorities and communities.
“That constructive engagement will become increasingly important as the project develops.
“I was also pleased to recognise the hard work of Bedford Borough Council officers, who have engaged constructively with partners while ensuring Bedford’s interests are properly represented.
“There will inevitably be challenges with a development of this scale, but that is precisely why early engagement and collaboration are so important.
“Our job now is to capitalise on this once-in-a-generation opportunity and make sure this investment delivers a lasting legacy of jobs, skills, growth and opportunity for communities across the region.”
The roundtable concluded with a commitment to continued engagement between local authorities, Government and Universal, focusing on maximising the opportunities arising from the development while addressing the wider impacts of growth.
In attendance were: Bedford Borough Council, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, Central Bedfordshire Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, Luton Borough Council, Milton Keynes City Council, North Northamptonshire Council and West Northamptonshire Council.
