South East of England: Looking to the future

A successful recovery requires a strong South East

The pandemic has exacerbated many challenges, these have fallen unequally across the country and society. The CBI has urged government to use the Comprehensive Spending Review to lay the groundwork for the UK’s long-term future. Within its submission the CBI has made several specific South East recommendations, as well as those that apply more widely.

One of the key recommendations is to urgently consult on the future of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), ensuring that EU Structural funds are matched and aligned to existing regional funds such as Local Growth Funds and Towns Fund, so that every region is in the position to realise its economic potential. The South East of England received 286 million euros of ESF and ERDF funding between 2014 and 2020.[1]

Key regional recommendations for the South East and Thames Valley in the CBI CSR submission are the delivery of major infrastructure projects including the Lower Thames Crossing and formally recognising and supporting subnational bodies. We also call for large infrastructure projects such as the Heathrow expansion to be followed through.

The leap forward in establishing a cohesive regional identity

The formation and solidification of Catalyst South earlier in the year is a substantial boost to the region, as the region looks to recovery it’s more important than ever for the South East that decision making and action is both local and agile. The importance placed on the South East having a fully functioning regional subnational body is reflected in our CSR submission. We recommend that the government should formally recognise and financially support subnational bodies outside the North and Midlands which are focused on regional recovery i.e. Catalyst South.

There was disappointment recently over the refusal to grant sub-national transport body 'Transport for the South East' statutory status, it’s hoped that the position for these sub-national bodies will be clarified in the forthcoming English Devolution and Local Recovery White Paper, which is now expected next year.

What now?

The pandemic has shown that empowering regions is more important than ever, especially for a sustainable recovery. The pandemic has provided opportunities, as well as challenges, and regional collaboration is key in finding a path to a sustainable recovery and the continued resilience of the region. Stakeholders within the region including Catalyst South should work collaboratively with business, neighbouring authorities and all parts of government building upon relationships established and strengthened in the height of the crisis. We continue to engage with regional stakeholders to reinforce the importance of working closely with business.

Get Involved

When we speak to policy makers on this issue, we are championing the voice of business. If you would like more information about our regional policy work across the South East, or want to work with us on the regionalisation for the South East of our newly published report Reviving Regions please contact Helena Coe.

[1] House of Commons Library, Briefing Paper number 7847, 11^th September 2020 p.16