Government announces growth fund for English regions

The government is promising to create or safeguard more than 100,000 jobs in England, with an investment of £450m.

The Regional Growth Fund has provisionally accepted 50 bids for support from firms and partnerships.

Labour said the coalition had actually cut funding for regional growth by two thirds, putting many jobs at risk.

Mr Clegg launched the fund in Rochdale, alongside former Conservative minister Lord Heseltine.