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JOHN HUTTON TO LAUNCH VISION FOR BRITAIN’S ENERGY COAST™

THE Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, John Hutton is to officially launch the £2 billion regeneration initiative that will transform West Cumbria into Britain’s Energy Coast™.

Mr Hutton MP will deliver a keynote speech at the event, which will take place from 8.30am-10.30am on Wednesday, July 23 at Sellafield Visitors Centre.

The Masterplan is a £2 billion package of regeneration projects which build on the area’s globally important expertise and skills in nuclear and diversifies into other innovative energy technologies, such as tidal, off shore wind and microgeneration.

Projects* range from attracting a new generation of nuclear power reactors to the Sellafield site and developing the proposed National Nuclear Laboratory and Energus (formerly the Nuclear Academy) training facilities to a new acute hospital and significant investment in transport links, leisure, culture and sporting facilities. In total the Masterplan is expected to create 16,000 jobs and boost Cumbria’s economy by £800 million.

Mr Hutton said: "I am delighted to have been invited to launch the Energy Coast™ Masterplan - an ambitious plan to secure long term prosperity of this area by building on the region's world-renowned nuclear know-how. The Masterplan will bring together the skills and ambition of West Cumbria, and deliver a significant boost to investment and jobs."

There will also be speeches from Jamie Reed, MP for Copeland and Chair of the Cumbria Partners of the West Cumbria Strategic Forum**, and Vice Chair Tony Cunningham, MP for Workington. A dedicated website www.britainsenergycoast.com together with a logo and branding will also be unveiled on the day.

Commenting on the event, Jamie Reed MP said: "We are delighted that John Hutton is to launch a regeneration programme that will mean so much to businesses and communities in West Cumbria.

"As Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform he is the ideal person to launch a Masterplan that revolves around reviving the economic fortunes of this unique part of Cumbria. His attendance will ensure that the Masterplan receives the high profile it deserves, as one of the biggest, most ambitious and most important regeneration programmes taking place in the UK."

Around 100 guests from the public sector locally, regionally and nationally, together with representatives from the private sector will attend the event.

Ends

NOTES TO EDITORS

For more information on Britain’s Energy Coast™ visit the new look www.westlakesrenaissance.co.uk

* Projects in the Britain’s Energy Coast™ Masterplan include;
● The Dalton Institute (Manchester University)
● National Nuclear Laboratory
● University of Cumbria expansion into West Cumbria
● Energus
● A new £100 million acute hospital, with research and teaching facilities, which will build on West Cumbria’s existing strengths in toxicology, radiation and epidemiology
● Enterprise support for local businesses and enterprise training in schools
● Improvements to schools and the establishment of new academies totalling more than £200 million
● The creation of new, and improvements to an array of existing employment sites
● Public realm investment in West Cumbrian towns
● A total of £80 million in Housing Market Renewal
● Long term programme of strategic road improvements totalling more than £300 million of investment, including £30 million into the A66, the main link between the M6 and West Cumbria
● £50 million worth of development of cultural, sporting and leisure facilities
● New tourism facilities, including a hotel in Whitehaven
● Improvements to the marinas in Whitehaven, Workington and Maryport
● Improvements to rolling stock, stations and railway infrastructure on the West Coast line

** The Cumbria Partners of the West Cumbria Strategic Forum. Members of the forum are; Nuclear Decommissioning Authority; Northwest Regional Development Agency; North West Regional Assembly; North West Universities Association; Cumbria Vision; West Lakes Renaissance; Invest in Cumbria; Cumbria Learning and Skills Council; Business Link Cumbria; Cumbria Tourism; Cumbria County Council; Allerdale Borough Council; Copeland Borough Council; The Private Business Sector; Sellafield Trade Unions; West Cumbria Strategic Partnership; West Cumbria Business Cluster; West Cumbria Industry Group; Professor John Fyfe; Tony Cunningham MP; Jamie Reed MP

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1: For further information contact Luke Dicicco, PR & Communications Manager for West Lakes Renaissance and Cumbria Vision, on 01768 861310 or 07799035390 or email luke.dicicco@cumbriavision.co.uk.

2: For more information on West Lakes Renaissance visit www.westlakesrenaissance.co.uk and for Cumbria Vision visit www.cumbriavision.co.uk

3: West Lakes Renaissance and Cumbria Vision are supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), which leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for: Supporting business growth and encouraging investment; Matching skills provision to employer needs; Creating the conditions for economic growth; Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure; Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life. www.nwda.co.uk

4: Cumbria County Council is a founding partner of and the accountable body for West Lakes Renaissance and Cumbria Vision. www.cumbria.gov.uk