Major projects will help city overcome economic challenges, says Mayor

Andy Street said he had been "busy levelling up" the West Midlands for the past four years, and claimed he had helped land the investment required to see Wolverhampton compete on the national stage.

Defending his track record, Conservative Mr Street pointed to a number of projects that were "transforming the city", including the £150m transport interchange, the Walsall-Wolverhampton railway line, and the National Brownfield Institute at the former Springfield Brewery.

He said more than £40m from the Future High Streets Fund and the Towns Fund would "drive the city economy forward", while the opening of a new Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government headquarters would results in a "major boost" for local trade.

Liam Byrne MP, Labour's candidate for Mayor, said the region had missed out on funding which had gone to the north.

He also accused Mr Street of failing to secure the vast majority of the Government cash required for his £3.2bn economic recovery plan.

Mr Street, who is bidding for a second term as Mayor in May's election, said Wolverhampton was "buzzing with good news and progress at the moment".

He said the city was being "transformed" and that "investment and major projects are set to propel Wolverhampton's recovery".

"Wolverhampton has faced many economic challenges; the collapse of Carillion hit the city hard, and the closure of the iconic Beatties department store provided a powerful symbol of the problems faced by its city centre," Mr Street said.

"Throughout the pandemic those challenges have continued, with key employers heavily affected by the economic impact of Covid-19, such as aerospace firm Collins or hospitality giant Marstons.

"But these last few months have shown by working effectively with Government – and employing the full power of devolved decision making – we can secure the resources and investment needed to not only compete regionally, but nationally too."