FIONA FIGHTS FOR EUROPEAN FUNDS FOR THE NORTH EAST

12.00.00am GMT Tue 26th Jan 2010

Commenting on fears that a Conservative Government could barter away millions of pounds in European regional handouts in exchange for greater political powers, North East MEP Fiona Hall said:

"This is a devastating revelation. European regional development funding (ERDF) is currently supporting the development of thousands of new jobs in the North East, not least in innovative green technology sectors. These jobs will be undermined if regional funding is withdrawn.

"I fought to get energy efficiency included as an eligible activity for regional funding. Pilot projects to improve hard-to treat homes are now being set up across the North East. Undermining such projects by withdrawing funding would condemn thousands of people living in cold homes to continuing fuel poverty. That is grossly unfair.

"If ERDF money is unused, it is only the Treasury that gains. The Tories would prefer to spend money on tax breaks for millionaires instead of on jobs and decent homes for people in the North East."