THE Wirral Growth Company (WGC) – one of the biggest public sector-led regeneration project in the UK – will reward 60% of its contracted work to local companies, it’s been revealed.

The news comes after it was claimed the ambitious council-led plan to deliver thousands of new jobs, homes and shops will “breathe new life into the area’s communities”.

This week, WGC was backed by shadow Communities Secretary Andrew Gwynne, who met the local authority’s leader Cllr Phil Davies and Wallasey MP Angela Eagle at Wirral Met College in Birkenhead.

At their meeting, it was claimed the company, established last year, will “help breathe new life into the communities that have been left behind as a consequence of Tory austerity”.

Mr Gwynne said: “With the impressive development schemes planned in Wirral over the coming years, there is a need to ensure local people benefit from employment.

“The Wirral Growth Company will be one of the UK’s largest public sector-led regeneration projects that will not only ensure the Labour council continues to deliver the services people rely on for years to come, but it will help create jobs and training opportunities for Wirral residents.”

Speaking at their meeting, Cllr Davies said the local authority was working with community interest companies, community trusts and charities to “give Wirral residents a bigger say in the provision of their services”.

He said: “As well as keeping the council’s assets safely owned by the local authority, we have policies in place to ‘hire local, buy local’ for 60% of all contracts.

“Our Labour-led council is also making sure the developments planned are to the benefit of local residents with affordable housing, retirement flats and extra care facilities all being developed in phase one.

“And as Birkenhead town centre also needs significant investment, a fresh plan to develop a new market, upgrading the shops and restaurants as well as improve transport access and connectivity with the rest of Wirral is a priority scheme too.”