Skipton MP Julian Smith has welcomed the reopening of applications to the Regional Growth Fund.

He has also written to the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills to ask whether some of the money can be available to support Yorkshire’s hosting of the Tour de France and will meet with Lord Heseltine, who wrote a report on growth for the Government, next month.

A total of £350 million is available in this fourth round of funding, bringing the total amount to £2.6 billion. So far £264 million has been invested in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

Mr Smith said: “It is important we encourage all companies in Yorkshire to take advantage of this next round of investment. The fund is part of the Government’s drive to support economic growth across the country and rebalance the economy.

“Making sure we maximise the benefits from the Tour de France coming to Yorkshire in 2014 will be key to that, which is why I have asked Ministers to examine whether the Regional Growth Fund can be used to support those efforts.”