Following the mayoral election in 2021, the mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will oversee the area’s regional recovery. The region has a proven track record in many areas including R&D, but the three distinct economies of The Fens, Greater Peterborough and Greater Cambridge have faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is vital that that mayor promotes an inclusive resilient recovery for the entire region.
The pandemic has demonstrated that empowering regions is important, especially for a sustainable recovery. That’s why we’ve created this manifesto: to set out a way Cambridgeshire and Peterborough can achieve its full potential during recovery and beyond, through business and government working in partnership.
The challenges faced by the region and the existing inequalities that have been exacerbated are not insurmountable. There is income and skills inequality within the region - on average full time workers resident in Cambridgeshire earning £620.00 per week, compared to £543.60 per week for those in Peterborough.
The manifesto sets out three guiding principles for the mayor, developed in partnership with our members:
- Champion regional dynamism and global competitiveness to raise living standards - by driving the international profile of the Combined Authority, it will not only benefit Cambridgeshire and Peterborough but the wider Eastern region, the Oxford-Cambridge Arc and the UK
- Transform digital and physical infrastructure on the race to net zero - as a prominent regional figure, the mayor should be a key voice in advocating for the transition to net zero. The region would benefit from the mayor setting out a bold green vision and identifying areas that Cambridgeshire and Peterborough can help on the race to net zero
- Stimulate job creation and secure an inclusive workforce for the future - location within the Combined Authority should have no bearing on the accessibility of education, training or employment. By creating an inclusive environment for all, the mayor will also help those businesses who are struggling to recruit skilled workers.
Get involved
If you are interested in further contributing to our regional policy work, three-point regional actions plans are currently being pulled together across the English regions based upon the three key themes from Reviving Regions:
- Build vibrant local labour markets
- Transform local infrastructure to facilitate new ways of working
- Inspire world-class, innovative businesses to invest in all regions.
Ensure your voice is heard on these action plans.
If you would like more information, or to get involved with those being developed in the East or South East of England please contact Helena Coe.
