Hezza outcome set to disappoint
We find out this week the fate of the Hezza Fund.
Rumour has it that Whitehall has only come up with an ‘insulting’ £2 billion out of £70 billion towards the so-called single pot for the regions – money the regions argue would be better spent through local decision-making rather than by central Government diktat.
And it is expected to be accompanied by another round of local government cuts.
Given there is no new money involved in the Hezza initiative it is a bit hard to see what the point of it all is, especially as Birmingham ’s record on spending is pretty chequered.
It has been plain for months that Birmingham will get only a ‘sop’ and that the whole exercise has in effect been kicked into the long grass.
Enthusiasts say that however little is on offer an important breakthrough has been achieved – acceptance that there should be a regional single pot.
Something, it is maintained, that can be built on.
They will spin it as a victory.
Piffle! This was always going to end in tears.
When will we grow up and realise the city will only prosper through its own efforts?
On Wednesday we shall find out how delusional we have been.
And on the subject of delusions … what of the Birmingham Airport lunacy?
If you speak privately to people most will admit it has many failings – like an inadequate European network.
But publicly they feel obliged to back it and its science fiction vision of the future.
Now at last we have seen an air industry 'insider' come as close as he dares to breaking ranks.
Laurie Berryman, Emirates UK vice president, has told the airport it still has to win hearts and minds in theMidland hinterlands.
The likes ofOxford , Banbury and Milton Keynes .
He noted: "The people ofBirmingham know about it and use it, but it is not getting people to the south. And people from Nottingham and Derby are going down to Heathrow."
He is stating in effect what I have been saying for a long time –Birmingham Airport simply fails to appeal to sufficient Midlanders.
And of those that actually useBirmingham many do not do so for its own intrinsic appeal but instead as a 'rat-run' to European hubs such as Paris , Amsterdam and Frankfurt .
But publicly they feel obliged to back it and its science fiction vision of the future.
Now at last we have seen an air industry 'insider' come as close as he dares to breaking ranks.
Laurie Berryman, Emirates UK vice president, has told the airport it still has to win hearts and minds in the
The likes of
He noted: "The people of
He is stating in effect what I have been saying for a long time –
And of those that actually use
So whatever the merits of the airport's dream to become another Heathrow it speaks from a position of weakness.
If it can't persuade its own catchment of its attractions how can it possibly expect Londoners to get it?
Which is why its posturing and its bluster is treated with such disdain and contempt inLondon and the South East.
Its case is built on sand.
Which is why its posturing and its bluster is treated with such disdain and contempt in
Its case is built on sand.
It is said that Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, MP for Derbyshire Dales, is sympathetic.
That's fine.
Sadly though, until Birmingham Airport puts its own house in order it will not get, and does not deserve, the sort of hearing it feels is its right.
That's fine.
Sadly though, until Birmingham Airport puts its own house in order it will not get, and does not deserve, the sort of hearing it feels is its right.