'We'll do everything to make Eden Project happen'

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner would not offer a complete confirmation

The government will do "everything it can" to make sure the Eden Project in Lancashire comes to fruition - although the Deputy Prime Minister has stopped short of offering a complete promise.

The long-awaited eco-tourism attraction is described as a "global garden" featuring large shell-shaped pavilions overlooking Morecambe Bay.

The previous Conservative government had promised £50m for the scheme, but Sir Keir Starmer has repeatedly warned of a "black hole" in the public finances.

Angela Rayner said she "wants to see it go ahead" but, when pressed by the BBC, would not absolutely confirm or rule out the investment.

Rayner told BBC Radio Lancashire: "We want to see that investment. The local people in Morecambe have been really enthusiastic about it and the chancellor absolutely knows that and we will do everything we can to see what we can do to make that happen.

"For every pound of public sector investment if we get three pounds back with our national wealth fund, if we can support projects and we can work with the private sector to make them happen then of course the chancellor wants to look at that in the round."

However, she said the government's main priority was on growth.

"What we can't have is national debt where it is, and public services on their knees," she said.

The Eden Project in Morecambe is expected to open in 2027 or 2028

Last week, the Eden Project's director of transformation, Si Bellamy, said he remains confident the government will support the attraction.

Lancaster City Council also said there was "no suggestion" the new government would withdraw any of the promised funding, and it expects ministers to approve the development next month.

An initial instalment of £2.5m in government money has already been received and the design teams have begun work.

The attraction is expected to open in 2027 or 2028.