We’re committed to ensuring your voice is heard in your region, and that real, practical change can be driven to boost productivity and prosperity. To do this, the CBI sits on business groups across Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) and Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) who are working on the COVID-19 response and the longer-term economic recovery.
In this monthly update, you’ll find insights from these MCAs and LEPs, with a specific focus on how to kick start demand and unleash competitiveness on people and skills for growth and how to build back better for a more sustainable future. Discover a region-by-region breakdown of latest developments and understand how you can get involved.
Latest headlines
- Government has launched three consultations on local government structures in Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Somerset. Local governments in these areas have put forward their proposals for future structures as they transition towards unitary authorities which the CBI supports.
- The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have released the Spatial Framework Policy Paper for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, and have announced the intention to establish a Growth Body to provide a clear voice and economic leadership. Government have identified the OxCam Arc as a national economic priority area.
- Over thirty freeport bids have been submitted including in the Humber, Sheffield City Region, Tees Valley, Liverpool City Region, the North East, East Midlands, West of England, Devon and Cumbria.
Kickstarting demand and competitiveness
- Leicester and Leicestershire (LLEP) has announced a £92m partnership with REE Automotive to pioneer EV technology at the MIRA technology park.
- Enterprise M3’s animal MedTech industry has been designated as a High Potential Opportunity by the Department for International Trade. It will be showcased internationally to secure inward investment after the government formally recognised it as an asset to the UK and global economies.
Building vibrant labour markets
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority has announced £500,000 investment into Adult Learning through a new innovation fund. Funding is available for local colleges and providers to test new and innovative ways of delivering training courses.
- West Midlands Combined Authority Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Fund, which transfers unspent levy to fund SME apprenticeships, has reached £21m in pledges supporting 613 SMEs since 2019.
Creating well connected, accessible places
- A £40m injection of funding from the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) will help to quickly create more homes across the region. WECA and the West of England councils are developing a long-term Housing Delivery Strategy which sets out a route map for sites, from land acquisition to construction.
- West Midlands Combined Authority has had its budget of £900m approved for funding infrastructure and regeneration projects across the region.
Regional insights
- North West: West Midlands Combined Authority has had its budget of £900m approved for funding infrastructure and regeneration projects across the region.
- North East: The North East Health, Life Sciences and Medicines Manufacturing Strategy has been developed by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership working in partnership with the NHS, businesses, universities and industry leaders to create 12,000 new jobs in the health, life sciences and pharmaceuticals sectors.
- Yorkshire and Humber: Youth Combined Authority representatives from Sheffield City Region, West Yorkshire, Liverpool City Region, West Midlands and Greater Manchester joined together virtually to share, learn and explore the role of youth voices in the development of policies and strategies across their areas.
- West Midlands: WMCA launched a new Cultural & Creative Social Enterprise fund for small social enterprises consisting of two grants of £30,000 to support their own business and then support for five other micro businesses in this sector.
- East Midlands: D2N2 (Derby/Nottingham LEP) has awarded £3.5m of the Getting Building Fund to establish a skills and education hub in Worksop creating 50 jobs and supporting 300 learners.
- South West: A scheme to rejuvenate Kingswood High Street has been given a £7.5m boost by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).The provisional investment is linked to WECA's Love our High Streets programme and is subject to government funding being secured.
- South East: Solent LEP has partnered with Venturefest South, Innovate UK and KTN to launch Innovate Local: Southern Pioneers on 8-9th March. As the 8th March is International Women’s Day there will be a focus on women business leaders in innovation.
- East of England: The Freeport East Hydrogen Hub [a pillar of the Freeport East bid] which would be delivered by EDF Sizewell C and Hutchison Ports has been supported by New Anglia LEP.
How you can get involved
The CBI is developing three-point regional actions plans for England 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
These will shape our regional policy for the months ahead. It you would like more information, or to get involved please contact:
- Hannah Richmond - North
- Helena Coe - South East and East of England
- Nicky Williams - South West
- Matthew Lowe - Midlands
- Jordan Cummins - London