Publication of the government’s Industrial Strategy in October can’t come soon enough, says Chair of the Business Board Network Mark Bretton.
He said the Chancellor’s speech at the Labour Party conference delivered confirmation that the government’s Industrial Strategy will be published alongside the Budget. “That was music to our ears – it’s local business leaders across the Business Board Network that will help make that strategy an economic reality in the streets and towns across the country where business and communities can thrive.
“But any industrial strategy must connect with Local Growth Plans and must involve all regions of the country not just those who have secured a devolution deal. If a national strategy is to be successful, it needs to embrace all parts of the country, leaving no one behind.
“It’s our local business leaders across the network who can help bind all that together; supporting their local councils, combined authorities and mayors. It’s their business acumen that translates policy into economic reality; investing in their local economies, upskilling and training the workforce, driving up digital inclusion, achieving net zero, supporting businesses through the Growth Hub network to grow and export, and building on the regional strengths and opportunities that can deliver that local growth – for them the industrial strategy can’t come soon enough!”
