Local government's across the UK are set to receive shares of a £6 billion fund designed to boost local economies, it has been announced today (July 7th).

This is the first instalment of the government's Growth Deals scheme, which will eventually see the coalition provide £12 billion, with decisions on where the money is spent made by local authorities and businesses in the areas.

Prime minister David Cameron said: "For too long our economy has been too London-focused and too centralised. Growth Deals will help change all that. They are about firing up our great cities, towns and counties so they can become powerhouses."

According to the government, the investment is likely to see improvement works undertaken on more than 150 roads across the UK, as well as 20 rail stations. 

In addition to the transport upgrades, some of the funding will go towards around 150 housing developments and kick-starting a series of super-fast broadband networks.