LEPs can be key partners in the Chancellor’s vision to turn the UK into the world’s next Silicon Valley and use their local capability to galvanise what the Chancellor called “the animal spirits that spur economic growth” says LEP Network Chair, Mark Bretton.
He says the Chancellor’s speech at Bloomberg HQ highlighted the sectors where LEPs are already helping to accelerate progress as part of his growth plan – including digital technology, life sciences, clean energy, creative industries, and innovation.
He said: “LEPs are on the front line of the economic challenges facing local communities, but they share one very simple ambition with the Chancellor – to grow the economy – but they are hampered by funding delays which could so easily be fixed. We’ve got to see optimism backed with action.
“LEPs could then accelerate their initiatives across the sectors the Chancellor focussed on, whether they are developing the groundbreaking life sciences cluster in Hertfordshire, getting over 50’s back into the workforce through Skills Bootcamps, forging a new space sector in Cornwall, driving clean energy in Oxfordshire, or forging innovative new economic partnerships in Leicestershire. LEPs are already firing up the “animal spirits” that will spur economic growth across the country – they just need to be supported”
LEPs are initiating programmes that will build the future sectors and support innovation across the country, from Cornwall to Cumbria, from North Yorkshire to the Solent. For example:
