In round 1 Merseyside was awarded monies for; Pilkington's in St Helens, Ames Goldsmith UK, Echo and Stobart were successful.

I got in touch with Richard Butcher, Stobart Group deputy chief executive, to ask him about the regional growth fund. He says that the regional growth fund has been "an important factor in Stobart Group's commitment to the Halton region and will ensure the continued investment from us that the area needs to maintain economic regeneration and growth. The investment from Stobart, Prologis and Halton Borough Council has transformed the area and created many important new jobs--the support from the Regional Growth Fund will further enhance that regeneration."

Stobart Group has already invested £100 million to date in the development of its Mersey multi-modal gateway logistics site in Widnes, but this new private-public partnership saw the regional growth fund as an ideal opportunity to push on with the development of a further 100 acres, eventually creating more than 5,000 additional jobs and £170 million in gross value added. With the £9 million received in round 1, it is moving forward on opening up 1 million square feet of warehousing space served by rail and road.

That is a perfect example of how the RGF can bring public and private bodies together to stimulate investment and boost the economy. Stobart illustrates the private partnership success and collaboration that has emerged from the RGF. It successfully forged a business partnership between itself, a road haulage operator, infrastructure developers Prologis and Halton borough council. As we know, the sum is always bigger than its parts. That example proves the case most effectively.

In the Second Round announced last week 34 companies and organisations across the north-west have made successful bids. From; Bentley to Unilever and Liverpool University ,Pirelli Tyres Ltd to Getrag Ford Transmissions in Knowsley, Northwest Aerospace Alliance, Sefton council and Liverpool Vision, as well as £25M for Stanley Dock, which could transform the dock and bring 1,800 jobs to the area --the list goes on and on

In total round 2 will see the country benefiting from some £3.3 billion, creating 37,000 direct new jobs, and a further 164,000 jobs in related supply chains and local economies.

Merseyside has been awarded significant amounts in both rounds of the Fund and I will continue to do my part, as the only Member of Government on Merseyside, to maintain such significant investment in our area.