Growing interest in reigniting regions

Intentions of the new ministerial team including Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom and Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick have started to emerge over the last few weeks including from Conservative Party Conference last month. The past few weeks has cemented the government’s interest in place, however, their view on the future of Industrial Strategy remains unclear.

Increased interest in the role of place

A common theme emerging from both BEIS and MHCLG, and from the Prime Minister himself is the importance of place. Parliament itself is also interested, and we have submitted the business view to the Select Committee inquiry investigating progress on devolution in England.

The government has added £1bn to the Towns Fund (formerly the Stronger Towns Fund which has been combined with the Future High Streets Fund), now totaling £3.6bn. Details as to how the funds will be administered remain scarce, but 100 towns and cities are expected to work with government to improve transport, broadb