Simon Case takes leading role in plan to transform Barrow
Former Cabinet Secretary appointed independent Chair of Barrow Delivery Board Barrow Transformation Fund backed by 拢200m government investment
Former Cabinet Secretary Dr Simon Case has been appointed independent Chair of the Barrow Delivery Board, the government announced today (Monday, Feb 10).聽
Dr Case聽brings a wealth of leadership experience to the role after a long career in the Civil Service.聽
The Delivery Board will deliver the Barrow Transformation Fund, a 拢200m government package to deepen and develop Barrow鈥檚 crucial role at the heart of UK national security and nuclear submarine-building, overseen by the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.
It forms part of the Plan for Barrow, which aims to strengthen the local economy, support sustainable growth and boost opportunities for residents.聽聽
Minister for Local Growth and Building Safety Alex Norris said:聽
Barrow lies at the heart of our defence industry, and the nuclear submarines produced there play a crucial role in keeping Britain safe. We are committed to building on Barrow鈥檚 incredible strengths and making sure local people benefit from the town鈥檚 development.
Simon Case is ideally placed to chair the Delivery Board and oversee the delivery of 拢200m of funding to tackle local priorities, taking Barrow towards an exciting future. He will ensure Barrow鈥檚 place in our national Plan for Change - because what鈥檚 best for Barrow is best for the country.
Dr Case said:
I鈥檓 delighted to be appointed Chair and take on this important role. Barrow is critical to our national security; there鈥檚 nowhere else in the country with the unique set of skills and supporting infrastructure required to deliver complex nuclear submarines, so it鈥檚 vital we invest now to sustain this capability.聽
Barrow is a fantastic town and the Government鈥檚 long-term commitment to the UK鈥檚 submarine programme means it has an exciting future, but it鈥檚 not without its challenges. Our task is to address these, turn ambition into reality and help transform Barrow into a place where people choose to live, work and thrive.
The government is committed to growing the economy, strengthening national security and supporting our communities as part of the Plan for Change.
Barrow鈥檚 contribution to maintaining and renewing the UK鈥檚 nuclear deterrent has been built up over many years 鈥� often by multiple generations of the same families as part of a truly national endeavour. The government鈥檚 tailored Transformation Fund will build on these historic strengths and ensure the town鈥檚 full potential is realised.聽
Dr Case鈥檚 appointment was confirmed by Minister Norris in a Written Ministerial Statement to Parliament today. The Delivery Board will meet in March to make its first spending decisions. This funding will bring transformational and long-lasting change to Barrow across areas including transport, education, employment, skills, health, equity and wellbeing.聽
Dr Case previously acted as Chair of the Board on an interim basis, as part of his role as Cabinet Secretary.聽聽