Plymouth’s MPs and the City Council are hopeful that the Government is due to make a positive announcement about the city’s bid for funding to help support all those affected by the Keyham tragedy.
Following the Home Secretary’s visit immediately after the tragedy, the City Council has worked with MPs and partners to submit a bid for funding to ensure there is both immediate and longer term support to those who have been impacted, as well as for the wider community.
A wide range of partners are working together to ensure comprehensive support is available to those affected by the tragedy, in particular the victims and their families, and those who witnessed the events.
They are also working together to ensure a range of initiatives are in place to help residents in Keyham feel safe and support for the wider community in recovering from the tragedy. The aim is to ensure that resources are available for community projects that deliver the objectives of the recovery plan.
Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Johnny Mercer, MP for Plymouth, Moor View, and Sir Gary Streeter, MP for South West Devon and Council leader Nick Kelly have met civil servants to discuss how Government departments can provide the resources needed to ensure the necessary level of support is available to support the city over the next five years.
Council Leader Nick Kelly said: “We are all united in our determination to make sure everything possible is done to support those affected by this appalling tragedy. The response from all partners so far has been amazing but given the scale of the impact on the community and the levels of ongoing support that will be needed over the coming weeks, months and years, additional funding from the Government will be critical.
“We’ve had a positive meeting with representatives from Government departments and impressed on them the urgency of this so everyone can be confident that the levels of support required is available now. We are hopeful of a positive outcome in the near future. I am very grateful for the work our MPs are doing to press the case to Government.”
Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said: “Over the past few weeks I’ve been speaking to Ministers making the case for this cross-party and cross-Plymouth bid for funding to provide Keyham with the long-term support we need.
“The discussions with Government are constructive. I am hopeful we are getting somewhere. This is thanks to the hard work of the city council, Police, NHS and other professionals in making a strong case for long-term support.
“I am seeking further meetings with Ministers next week to continue to make the case for this funding and the support we need.
“Plymouth’s emergency services, City Council, NHS and Livewell have been superb. The support put into Keyham and Ford has been incredible but we will need Government to help us sustain the mental health support and help for our young people.
“Keyham will not be forgotten about. I’m going to ensure we get the support we deserve.”
Sir Gary Streeter, MP for South West Devon, said: “Now is the time for national and local government to come together to underpin this community in shock and help them to recover.”
Johnny Mercer, MP for Plymouth, Moor View, said: “It’s clear to me that promises have been made by Government Ministers to support the community of Keyham in the aftermath of this horrific incident and I will make sure they are followed through. Luke and I stand shoulder to shoulder – he’s done a terrific job and I will do all I can to support him and make sure both that community and the neighbouring areas in my constituency are supported in the years ahead.”