Cornwall Council has written to the Government asking it to reconsider plans to rank the Duchy as a ‘Tier Two’ area for the new Levelling Up Fund.

The current plans could mean that Cornwall’s residents and businesses would miss out on vital funding to other areas in the UK, putting it behind 123 other local authorities, including Chancellor Rishi Sunak's own constituency of Richmondshire.

Cornwall has been marked as a ‘Tier Two’ priority, rather than the top category, ‘Tier One’.

The ranking comes despite Cornwall being classed as one of the poorest regions in Europe, a classification which had previously made it eligible for funding from the EU.

The Council has written to Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, to make the case for Cornwall’s ranking to be reconsidered.

The letter asks the Government to explain the criteria upon which the tiers were decided and for reassurance that Cornwall will be no worse off from the funding programme.

Further to this, it also asks that the Government looks again at whether Cornwall can be reconsidered for ‘Tier One’ status.
Falmouth Packet: The current plans could mean that Cornwall’s residents and businesses would miss out on vital funding.The current plans could mean that Cornwall’s residents and businesses would miss out on vital funding. (Image: Pexels)

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According to the Council, Tim Dwelly, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture, Economy and Planning, said there has been “concern and surprise” that Cornwall has not been placed among those in the top priority group.

He said: "Cornwall has previously been seen by the Government as a particularly disadvantaged area, eligible for special intervention through structural funds, due to our productivity and earnings being below the UK average.

"Before the last General Election, the Prime Minister pledged that Cornwall would be no worse off after we left the EU."

"This would be a very welcome move, with Cornwall set to host the G7 summit in the summer.

"We as a Council would appreciate this, as would our residents and businesses."

Announced at the recent Spending Review, the £4.8billion fund will invest in infrastructure across the UK, in particular town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects and culture and heritage.