Launch of the UK’s first Local Industrial Strategy

Local Industrial Strategies are long-term plans, developed locally and agreed in partnership with national government, aiming to increase productivity and deliver inclusive growth that benefits all communities and places.

Delivered across all regions and devolved nations across the UK, these Local Industrial Strategies will be led by Combined Authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) in England. The Government has made the commitment that every person in England will live in an area covered by local strategy by early 2020.

Since summer 2018, CBI members has been working closely with us to feed views and evidence concerning the development of the strategy to the West Midlands Combined Authority. Lively discussions in both dedicated working groups and the CBI Regional Council shaped clear policy priorities on skills, infrastructure and housing.

The West Midlands Industrial Strategy is good news for the region and business. The strategy provides a framework for local leaders and business to work collaboratively, building on the region’s distinctive strengths, whilst unblocking the barriers to productivity and growth. The CBI has seen a strong focus on the West Midlands’ automotive and manufacturing heritage that looks to the future challenges and opportunities around mobility, intelligent automation and robotics.

The strategy also recognises the need to improve skills provision through maximising apprenticeships, the development of T levels and retraining those in the labour market, whilst also acknowledging the essential role that business has an in shaping this provision.

Read the West Midlands Industrial Strategy here.

The launch of the West Midlands Industrial Strategy marks the first important step in setting out a strong vision for the region. However, the more important journey of delivering this vision begins now. Business should now seize the opportunity to come forward with ideas and advice on how this vision can be delivered.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Industrial Strategy will address key challenges on health and investment in sustainable transport. In the Oxford to Cambridge Arc the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership seeks build on its strength in digital and make the most of its central location between two great university cities. In other areas, LEPs and Combined Authorities are collating evidence and seeking views in developing the network of Local Industrial Strategies that will cover the UK. CBI is ensuring the business voice is heard across every region.

If you would like to get more involved in the CBI regional policy work please contact your regional policy lead or visit the Regional Growth page on My CBI:

Hannah Richmond – The North of England

Mark Corbett  – The Midlands

James Sloan – The East of England and South West