Budget 2017 and Industrial Strategy reaffirms important role of South East Midlands in stimulating economic growth

The Budget 2017 announcement that sets out Government’s vision for the Cambridge-Milton Keynes- Oxford Growth Corridor and this week’s launch of the Industrial Strategy identifies the important role that our area has in stimulating economic growth for the national interest.

Dr Ann Limb CBE DL, Chair of SEMLEP said: “The South East Midlands is already recognised as the most innovative LEP area in the country, and recently published 2016 ONS growth figures show that we’re also the fastest growing in terms of employment.

“SEMLEP’s 2017 Strategic Economic Plan, launched earlier this month, focuses on productivity-led growth. It identifies priority actions and investments to deliver the infrastructure and develop the conditions needed to grow businesses, employer-led skills and enhance our places.

“New economic data and analysis that underpins our SEP priorities, positions our area well against Government’s five foundations as set out the in Industrial Strategy.

“We welcome Government’s firm commitment to LEPs and the important role we have in ensuring business-led voice informs policy decisions. We also welcome Government’s initial investment commitments. 

“SEMLEP is ready to work very closely with Government, businesses, local authorities and our neighbouring LEPs to deliver a shared vision for the Growth Corridor and develop a Local Industrial Strategy that will further strengthen our economic standing in world-class high tech sectors and innovations, working towards a long-term investment plan to realise a once-in-a-generation opportunity.”

You can read a letter sent from Lord Henley, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to SEMLEP's Chair, Dr Ann Limb CBE DL here.