A CABINET minister says the Government wants Barrow to become a 'new powerhouse' for the north of England.

Michael Gove, the Levelling Up Secretary, heaped praise on the town in a speech on housing policy.

He pointed to the major projects ongoing in Barrow, saying his wish was to see the town 'extending beyond its current boundaries' with thousands of new homes and space for new businesses to benefit from 'scientific and technical expertise' in the area.

He announced that the Government's top civil servants are to visit the town this week.

Mr Gove said: “It's not just Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Wolverhampton, and existing great cities, where we see new opportunities opening in the North. 

“Barrow in Cumbria is the home of engineering excellence. The site of significant new investment over the next four decades."

Referring to the AUKUS submarine-building pact and an upcoming boost in skilled jobs for Barrow, Mr Gove said: “And, of course, it will be building the submarines of the future through the historic AUKUS deal. 

"We want Barrow to be a new powerhouse for the North – extending beyond its current boundaries with thousands of new homes and space for new businesses to benefit from the scientific and technical expertise already clustered there."

The Cabinet Secretary, the most senior civil servant in the country will be visiting Barrow this week with a top team to meet with Furness MP, Simon Fell, and others, to discuss scope for expansion in Barrow, Mr Gove said.

Welcoming the speech, Mr Fell said: “It was fantastic to see Michael Gove specifically call out Barrow this morning in his speech on housing. 

“With generations of investment, and thousands of new jobs coming to our community as a result of the Dreadnought programme, AUKUS, and energy projects such as Barrow Green Hydrogen, more offshore wind, and (hopefully) carbon capture and storage, it is essential that Government leans in to help Furness thrive and deliver.

This is an important step to deliver on that promise. 

“I look forward to welcoming the Cabinet Secretary to Barrow later this week to discuss Furness’ needs in more detail.”