Is new dawn rising for the Cornish 'Celtic tiger'

Lee Trewhela analyses why recent boosts to Cornwall's economy and culture are bringing palpable optimism for a resurgence in the Duchy’s fortunes

- Lee Trewhela

HERE is a real palpable sense that Cornwall has arrived into the lexicon of Westminster and we have done so not as a Dickensian Oliver Twist character but as a region, area, country - choose the word as you feel - that is going to fundamentally spearhead a new exciting economy for the UK.

Those are the words of John Brown, CEO of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, who is among local business and political leaders to welcome promises of Government funding for Cornish industry last week, which could be a watershed moment for the county, Duchy, nation... again, choose your favoured word.

It came at a time when Cornwall also hit the news for seemingly winning in its political fight not to be pulled into a combined mayoral authority with councils in Devon. There was also a real boost for the Cornish language and a Critical Minerals Strategy, which could prove a huge boon for the Cornish economy not seen since the heyday of tin mining.

"It's time to unleash the Cornish Celtic Tiger again and ensure that the people of Cornwall are beneficiaries of this regeneration," Perran Moon, the Labour MP for Camborne and Redruth, exclaimed last week.

Critical Minerals Strategy

Just days before last week's Budget, which saw the introduction of a new Kernow Industrial Growth Fund, the Government announced a Critical Minerals Strategy, which is expected to be particularly beneficial for Cornwall and is backed by £50 million of new funding.

The strategy will aim to reduce the UK’s over-reliance on foreign imports of critical minerals essential for everyday life by ramping up domestic production and protecting the UK from shortages due to natural disasters or war.

There is already talk of thousands of new jobs in Cornwall, a part of the world where tin, lithium and tungsten can and are being mined.