The Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership welcomed the Government’s announcement of its competition to host the new £3bn Green Investment Bank.
Commenting earlier today, Paul Hamer of the LEP said:
“Leeds City Region is the natural location for the Green Investment Bank, with a compelling business case that fits exactly with the criteria announced by the government today. With the UK’s largest financial sector outside London – bigger than any of the other areas bidding to host the Bank – and significant technical expertise from organisations like low carbon experts CO2Sense, we’ve already got the perfect cluster of skills and markets that the GIB needs in order to succeed. Add to that the top quality, low cost office space that's available in the city region, and we are confident in the strength of our bid, although we recognise the competition will be tough .”
The Leeds City Region bid already enjoys cross-party support from the region's MPs. Greg Mulholland MP recently led a debate in Parliament, during which Yorkshire MPs from all three main parties spoke out in support of the bid. Mr Mulholland said:
“The selection process outlined for the Green Investment Bank today shows that the Leeds City Region has exactly the right ingredients to deliver on the government's aspiration's for the Bank. As a global leader in the financial services and low carbon sectors, our bid will demonstrate why the Leeds City Region offers a unique base for this important new initiative.”
Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon added:
“I am delighted that the whistle has now gone off in the race to win the Green Investment Bank. Leeds and the Yorkshire region has an excellent chance to win this contest but it will require focused and energetic approach from political leaders, the financial sector, business leaders and green activists alike. The competition is stiff but with an innovative bid we have a good chance.”
The Green Investment Bank will support low carbon projects across the UK. It is expected that 50-70 people will be employed by the Bank, with recruitment starting in 2012.The government announced the process for interested locations to submit a bid earlier today, with a closing date for submissions of 30 January 2012.
Businesses and individuals can support the Leeds City Region's bid to host the Bank by visiting www.greenbanklcr.org