Brussels, 28/02/2001 (Agence Europe) - On 27 February, the European Commission approved a series of aid programmes under "Objective 2" for regions in the United Kingdom for the period 2000-2006 (except for aid to the region of East Wales which is to be spread over a 7 year period). The EU's financial participation, amounting to over 4 billion euro, will go to economic and social reconversion projects, the achievement of which should lead to the creation of close to 280,000 new jobs and the preservation of some 100,000 existing jobs. Generally, the projects aim to promote economic diversification through aid to SMEs, to support key employment-generating clusters, and to encourage the economic development of the neediest communities and regions, in the respect of sustainable development and equal opportunities between men and women and thanks to the possibilities offered by the information society. The different programmes are being financed by the Structural Funds (Erdf, Esf, Eaggf, FIFG), and Community funds will be spread as follows:
- 35.7 million (mio) euro to be allocated to the Isle of Thanet and the town of Hastings in the South East of England. The regional reconversion programme is focused on business development and innovation, heritage, culture and the environment, and community economic development. Intervention from the Structural Funds should attract some 64 mio in additional investments, 73% of which from the public sector and 27% from the private sector. The aim of the programme is to create some 3,600 new jobs and preserve 1,200.
- 277 mio euro over 7 years for the regions of East Wales (121 mio) and East England (156 mio). The programme for East Wales is focused on developing competitive and sustainable SMEs, sustainable rural development, and urban community regeneration. The programme for the East of England comprises three priority thrusts: support for SME creation, growth and development; developing key locations, clusters/sectors; community economic regeneration. These programmes are intended to attract additional investments of 449 mio euro, 79% of which from the public sector and 21% from the private; they are expected to create 10,000 jobs and maintain 4,500 existing jobs.
- 483 mio euro for the region of Western Scotland. The aims of the programme are: developing the competitiveness and innovative capacity of the region's SMEs; developing the region as a competitive location; increasing the region's economic and social cohesion. It should attract an additional 940 mio euro, 83% of which from public sources and 17% from private ones. The programme should allow for the creation of 85,000 new jobs.
- 717 mio euro for the North East of England, to establish an entrepreneurial culture, SME growth and competitiveness, strategic employment opportunities, and to support targeted communities. Assistance from the Structural Funds should attract additional investments of 1.176 mio from the public and private sectors. The aim of the programme is to create some 33,000 new jobs and preserve 25,000.
- 854 mio euro for the West Midlands, to create the necessary conditions to develop a diverse and dynamic business base, to create conditions for employment growth, and to regenerate certain economically marginalised communities. This programme should attract additional investments of 1.470 mio euro from the public and private sectors: its implementation is expected to create 28,000 jobs and preserve 16,000 existing ones.
- 190 mio euro for the region of South West England. The programme comprises three priority thrusts: neighbourhood renewal, development of technology and innovation in SMEs, a better future for traditional economies. The Commission hopes that this programme will attract additional investments of 256 mio from the public and private sectors. It is counting on the creation of 8,600 new jobs, the preservation of 7,400 existing ones, and stresses that the programme will provide support for 5,400 firms;
- 808 mio euro for the North West of England, which will contribute to three priorities: business and ideas, people and communities, strategic regional investment. Community funding should attract an additional 1.1 mio in public and private investments. Its implementation is expected to create 63,000 new jobs, preserve 40,000 existing ones and provide support to 19,000 firms.
- 260 mio euro for London, for community economic development, business development and competitiveness, infrastructures, premises and the environment, and technical assistance. The Commission hopes for additional public and private investment of 404 mio and is counting on the creation of 10,000 jobs and the preservation of another 2,700.
- EUR 518 million in favour of Yorkshire and the Humber, notably to remove the barriers to competition and to ensure support for economic and social regeneration. The EU financing should attract 894 million in additional public and private investments and allow for the creation of 36,000 new jobs and support 9,500 companies.
The final decision on all of the "programming documents" approved by the Commission will be taken after being examined by the ad hoc Committees formed of representatives from the Member States.