The deputy prime minister has been patting himself on the back after his pet project, the Regional Growth Fund, has found to have delivered economic results.
Well, I’m not faulting the bloke but really nobody likes a sore winner; then again, the RGF, which was designed to provide support for workers and business owners across the UK – many of whom are freelancers, umbrella company contractors, or other self-employed entrepreneurs – has been reported to be doing a smashing job. In fact, something like 100,000 jobs have either been created or protected by the programme, more than £1 billion in cold hard cash has gone to setting up regional projects, and some 8,000 companies have received support from Nick Clegg’s little initiative.
True enough there are shedloads of projects underway thanks to the RGF and its efforts. There are 25 nationwide projects, 25 in the east midlands, 11 in the easy, 71 in the west milands, 36 in the south west, 28 in London and the south east, 48 in the Humber and Yorkshire, and a massive 73 in the north west as of today – and that’s just current figures. The next round of bids have already started on the £200 million in funding for the coming year, and the Government has already gotten 174 bids already.
So yes, I hate to admit it but it seems like the RGF seems to be making a difference. Well, let me rephrase that – I’m chuffed that the programme is making a difference, I’m just a bit salty that it was the deputy prime minister’s brainchild. There’s just something about the bloke that rubs me the wrong way. Nothing he did or said in particular, honest – I just don’t seem to enjoy seeing him or hearing about him in any context. Don’t know what that’s about, really; I’m pretty sure that’s my personal problem and not one that really relies on any sort of rational argument or reasoning.
Still, well done Nick, enjoy the pat on the back; I suppose you’ve earned it. Let’s just hope that this RGF of yours continues to work its magic and strengthens the British economy some more before the funding finally runs out.
