WESTMINSTER HALL DEBATE: UK CITY OF CULTURE
As you will know, County Durham is now a step closer to being named UK City of Culture 2025 and securing the colossal social and economic benefits this would bring. To keep the momentum going, I am leading a cross-party Westminster Hall debate tomorrow from 11:00am.
Watch it here: https://whatson.parliament.uk/event/cal38481
The impact of securing UK City of Culture 2025 cannot be overestimated. As well as creating thousands of jobs and boosting the county's creative and visitor economies by millions of pounds, it would empower residents and help to improve community wellbeing.
And these benefits would spread beyond County Durham to the wider region, with the title supporting levelling up aspirations by acting as a catalyst for further government and private sector investment across the North East.
If successful, we will make history as the first county to secure the title - a title we truly deserve. County Durham is no ordinary county and there is a strong feeling across the region that the time is right for the UK's City of Culture to be in the North East. It truly is our time to shine.
As we move into this critical final stage, it's vital we keep the momentum going and shout from the rooftops about the talent and ambition that exists in all corners of our county.
