Lib Dem Conference call for Labour Government u-turn on Euro funding loss

Liberal Democrats in the North West have demanded that the Labour Government reimburses the region for the over £100 Million lost to business support for the North West when Ministers refused to apply for a six month extension for spending North West European Regeneration Funding.

The call to the Government, led by Liberal Democrat Euro Candidates Councillor Helen Foster-Grime, Regional Chairwoman Councillor Sue McGuire and North West Liberal Democrat Euro MP Chris Davies was made at the Spring Conference of the North West of England Liberal Democrats at the Victoria Institute in Caton, Lancashire.

The European Commission had offered a six month extension on its December 2008 deadline to all countries for unused European Regeneration funds as part of a £178 Billion economic stimulus package. But the Government has decided not to let the English regions apply - despite the fact that Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are set to benefit.

North West Lib Dem MEP Chris Davies said: "The North West keeps getting short-changed by central Government.

"It is a disgrace that deprived areas within our region have been denied the chance to spend extra European money.

"This is a poor excuse and a smokescreen for a Government in dire financial trouble to take money out of our deprived communities in the North West.

"The Government must now compensate the North West for this loss."