Gainsborough's MP is calling for more investment in deprived areas

Sir Edward Leigh said: “Once again I have been pushing ministers so that Gainsborough has access to the help the Government is providing through the Towns Fund.

"Many people think Lincolnshire in general is neither very rich nor very poor, but there are pockets of deprivation that I think need to be tackled head on.

"The South West ward scores poorly on any number of social and economic indicators.

“This isn’t just a matter for people who are living in Gainsborough town but should also bring improvement to many of the surrounding communities.

"West Lindsey District Council have put in a great deal of work to lay the foundations of a good Town Deal for Gainsborough that would benefit all of us.

“We already have good ingredients for success like the Gainsborough Construction Careers College giving young people the skills businesses need.

"We have community-minded private sector firms like the Gilder Group who combine development with social conscience.

“The Towns Fund came up for debate in the Commons this month but because it was oversubscribed I didn’t have the chance to put this to ministers in person.

"Instead, I’ve written to the Housing, Communities, and Local Government Secretary putting the case and advocating a Town Deal for Gainsborough."

In his letter to Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government, Sir Edward said: “In my constituency, Gainsborough’s South West ward is consistently rated as among the most deprived in the country.

"Fuel poverty rates here are double the national average and over 50 per cent of homes fail the decent homes test.

"Hundreds of people rely on the local food bank and life expectancy is 6.8 years lower for women and 8.4 years lower for men than in the least-deprived areas of West Lindsey.

“A Town Deal for Gainsborough would, for a little investment, provide an immense return.”

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