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 jobs and skills for young people, how to build back better for a more sustainable future and kick start demand and unleash competitiveness. Discover a region-by-region breakdown of latest developments and understand how you can get involved.
Latest headlines
- West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has called for the government to devolve further powers to the combined authority. He argues that allowing local powers on transport, housing and funding will help drive West Midlands’ recovery.
- Concerns have been raised about the underspend for small and medium sized businesses (SME) Reasons given include unrealistic deadlines, local authorities concerned of being defrauded and businesses being unaware of the opportunity, as many firms are not operating from their usual place of work.
- MPs from across South Yorkshire are backing calls from the Sheffield City Region Music Board to provide financial support for the music industry. It has been revealed that the sector lost £1.2m in revenue in the first two months of the pandemic due to cancelled shows or events.
Kickstarting demand and competitiveness
- The West of England Combined Authority has launched a Business Innovation Fund to help SMEs to develop innovative new products, processes and services to fulfil market demand.
- Gloucestershire LEP is to promote Gloucestershire as a ‘Work from Anywhere’ county. This ambition will be supported by acceleration of broadband delivery and a network of work from home locations.
People and skills for growth
- Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority has developed a Retraining Scheme to enable employers to retrain jobseekers for available roles.
- Mayor Ben Houchen has announced the creation of the Teesworks Skills Academy to link investors, employment hubs, skills providers, jobseekers and apprentices to create a world-class workforce for the future.
Building back better
- The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority has approved the first set of masterplans for their £13.1 million Market Towns Programme – Ely, Soham, and Littleport.
- Network Rail has announced it will begin the first phase of public consultation for proposals to upgrade the railway in and around Ely on 21 September, the upgrades will provide benefits for both freight and passenger services.
Regional insights
- North West: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has launched their £8.8bn recovery plan, which requires a £1.4bn investment from government, with a focus on projects that can be launched within the next 12months and would create 122,000 jobs. The plan is to develop an enhanced business ecosystem, to help businesses adapt, innovate, and grow.
- North East: North East LEP is considering a ‘recovery premium’ to close the learning gap alongside investment in rapid job signposting, incentives for hiring and job creation, careers guidance, youth employment.
- Yorkshire and Humber: The LEP’s priority is to increase digital and innovation driven entrepreneurialism. Health-tech has been identified as a locally specific innovation asset, so local leaders are considering how to capitalise on funding opportunities and local health assets.
- West Midlands: Combined Authority has set out to reset, rebuild and recharge the West Midlands economy providing 102,700 jobs, building 34,300 new homes, and supporting a rapid economic recovery for the region. Mayor Andy Street is lobbying for first UK battery gigafactory to be built there to compete with Germany and China.
- East Midlands: CBI is working alongside local authorities and Cranfield University on a joint recovery plan and economic recovery strategy focused on innovation, digital skills development and AI and data technologies.
- South West: West of England Combined Authority is using sector groups to identify how workforce and skills needs will shift and how education and training providers can respond. The MCA is seeking opportunities to embed positive change in areas such as active transport, digital, housing and workspace needs.
- South East: Solent LEP is developing a dedicated plan for the Marine and Maritime Sector. Areas for growth are around the knowledge-based economy and research and development.
- East of England: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority is looking to digital connectivity to drive recovery. The MCA is focused on low carbon transport infrastructure with active travel and public transport plans and the creation of a three-year pipeline of rail, road, digital infrastructure.
- Greater London: Greater London Authority economic missions are focused on skills, digital access, local high street and borough development, green economy and job creation underpinned with cultural considerations and international competitiveness. Streetspace and pedestrianisation is also seen as key to London’s recovery.
How you can get involved
The CBI is seeking to set out a series of recommendations to government to achieve a regional economic revival and renewal. These recommendations will be delivered in a report to government and will be followed by a series of regional ‘scorecards’ setting out each areas’ strengths and weaknesses. If you’d like to feed into this discussion, please contact Hannah Richmond, Principal Policy Advisor.