One North East town is set to receive a bumper package of levelling up funding, the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities has announced, ahead of Michael Gove's visit to the region this afternoon. 

Blyth, in Northumberland, is to receive £20.7 million in funding to improve their housing, health, employment, and anti-social behaviour.

This comes ahead of Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove's visit to the region this afternoon - following the landmark devolution deal which will see the North East governed by a combined authority. 

Despite its significant economic potential, with thousands of new local jobs expected in its green energy industries in the coming years, Blyth is the most deprived town in Northumberland.

Read more: Michael Gove signs North East devolution deal with council leaders

It has now been earmarked for millions of pounds of investment to support its transition from a coal-exporting town to a leading clean energy port. 

Gove has said that this money will "revitalise" the town, which has seen "deeply entrenched issues" limit opportunities in the town. 

The Government has said that people across Blyth are set to benefit from this significant investment to level up the town. The money will go towards upgrading poor-quality housing, tackling health inequalities, improving access to local jobs and cutting crime.

Only weeks ago, Gove signed a landmark £4.2 billion devolution deal with will see the creation of a combined authority of all seven North East councils, and give decision-makers here a bigger say over issues including transport, education and skills, and housing.

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Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: “For too long, Blyth has been deprived of the opportunities to make the most of its startling potential.  

“Deeply entrenched issues require an ambitious solution, which is why we have worked closely with local leaders on a package of measures that will improve the lives of the local community.  

“Through revitalising dilapidated housing, upskilling the next generation and cracking down on crime, this town is finally getting the attention and investment it deserves to ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”  

Councillor Glen Sanderson, Leader of Northumberland County Council, said: “This is a significant investment and fantastic news for Blyth.

“It means we can deliver better homes, improve neighbourhoods and reduce crime in partnership with Northumbria Police, local businesses and the community.   

“Investment at the Energy Central Campus and additional support to connect NHS services and Job Centre support will help residents to secure jobs in the town’s clean energy industry.

“We can now go further to realise Blyth’s huge potential at the heart of the Northumberland and the North East economy.” 

The DLUHC has said that the package of interventions delivers on the Prime Minister’s priorities to grow the economy and spread opportunity across the country.  

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The measures announced today include: 

Housing: An £18 million boost will repurpose run-down and empty homes into high-quality affordable housing to rent and convert under-occupied offices into new apartments. Some of the funding will also go towards making social housing more energy-efficient. 

Employment support: Almost £1.5 million will fund new high-tech training equipment at the town’s Energy Central Campus, providing local young people with a route to high-quality jobs on their doorstep.  

Anti-social behaviour: A £200,000 initiative to reduce crime in Blyth including by extending CCTV provision in the town centre and establishing a new partnership between local businesses and the police. These interventions will target anti-social behaviour, substance misuse and theft in particular. 

Health: Government will strengthen local partnerships between Jobcentre Plus and NHS services in Blyth so more disabled people and those with health conditions are supported to start, stay and succeed in work. DHSC is also working with Northumberland Council to support more smokers to quit, complementing the £35 million recently allocated to address health inequalities across the whole of the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System over the next 3 years.

With this tailored package, the government aims to tackle the complex barriers holding Blyth back and unlock a major programme of regeneration for the 40,000 people living in the area.

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It follows similar bespoke packages in Grimsby and Blackpool, and forms part of DLUHC’s 'deep dive' programme, working in partnership with local leaders and businesses to target investment and address the unique challenges of deprived towns.

As with North East Lincolnshire and Blackpool, Northumberland was one of the areas identified in the Levelling Up White Paper as the most left behind in the country.  

The additional funding announced today takes DLUHC’s investment in Blyth to over £56 million since 2019.