East London gets £100m Euro-grant (Barking and Dagenham Borough Liberal Democrats)

Barking and Dagenham Borough Liberal Democrats <barkinganddagenham@libdems4london.org.uk>

East London gets £100m Euro-grant

October 26, 2009 10:55 AM
Originally published by Sarah Ludford MEP

Some of the most deprived areas of East London will be receiving £100m as a result of EU funding, for sustainable energy projects, expected to generate over 1,000 jobs.

The money will go towards local energy projects, improved recycling facilities and energy plants which use waste. The £100m is made up of £50m from the European Regional Development Fund matched, as is required by EU rules, with the same amount of UK money comprising £32m from the London Development Agency and £18m from the London Waste and Recycling Board. The fund will be managed by the European Investment Bank.

London's Liberal Democrat MEP Sarah Ludford commented:

"This welcome new European grant shows that areas like East London with some of the most deprived areas in the country can benefit hugely from EU action."

"Mayor Boris Johnson often foams at the mouth when Europe is mentioned. But even he has been forced to admit how pleased he is at this 'imaginative EU funding programme'. It shows that Brussels is Londoners' friend, not our foe."

ENDS