Crucial role in development of world class talent pipeline

Setting out the plans, Mrs May stated that the Government’s aim is to build on existing strengths to enable all parts of the country to succeed. In a post-Brexit Britain, this is vital to ensure all parts of society benefit from economic growth and social prosperity.

I applaud the government’s effort and intentions and I believe firmly that Leeds City Region is already delivering on the ten pillars set out in the Industrial Strategy. What is now important is to focus on seizing the opportunity to further enhance the performance of Leeds City Region and ensure we punch our weight nationally and internationally.

The launch of the Industrial Strategy came alongside the announcement of a £556m funding package to support the Northern Powerhouse initiative, including £67.5m for Leeds City Region through the government’s Local Growth Deals.

This additional investment takes the Leeds City Region pot of devolved funding to over £1.1bn – the largest of its kind nationally – and is enabling us to make great strides in our economic ambitions.

In the skills arena, Leeds City Region has already made great progress helping people to gain the skills they need to gain better jobs.

Newly established educational centres of excellence such as the University Technical College Leeds, the city’s new school for 14 to 19-year olds, focusing on engineering and advanced manufacturing, as well as the Process Manufacturing Centre (PMC) in Kirklees, an employer led training centre for process manufacturing industries, are playing crucial roles in the development of a world class pipeline of talent right here in Leeds City Region.

We are working with business leaders to educate school children about the career opportunities, particularly in STEM subjects and so far we have engaged with over two thirds of schools across the City Region. With new initiatives on the horizon, we are helping to develop skills and nurture talent within the region in line with the demands of the future labour market.

On supporting businesses to start and grow, we are helping to create the environment for growth through our comprehensive business support service for SMEs. The LEP’s growth service is working with businesses to find the right support to grow and invest.

One such area of support is our recently launched Resource Efficiency Fund which helps businesses find ways to save money on their energy, water and waste and can provide up to £10,000 grant funding to implements efficiency measures.

This latest business support offer will not only secure economic benefits for businesses and our economy but will also help us move towards a low-carbon economy.

We are also well under way in delivering the infrastructure for growth and will soon see the first of our transformational West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund projects complete. The Wakefield Eastern Relief Road will not only ease congestion in one of our major cities but will help create new jobs, improve access to future housing and employment growth and is set to open in May this year.

Further infrastructure investment is underway and our investment pipeline in the region continues to grow so that we better connect all our citizens to opportunities across the City Region. But we can always do more. And clearly with the right tools in place in terms of powers and pounds we will.

A move to a more interven-tionist, place-based approach to devolved investment would allow full implementation of Lord Heseltine’s recommendations from his ‘No Stone Unturned’ report, is encouraged and will enable us to continue delivery impact. In particular, this would allow us to deliver an inclusive Industrial Strategy, in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of an economy that works for everyone – or as we refer to it “Good Growth, Good Lives”.

As part of the Government’s consultation on the Industrial Strategy, West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and the LEP are proposing to draft a full city region wide response.

This will draw on the views of stakeholders including businesses, local authorities and other partners in both the private and public sectors and we encourage readers of The Yorkshire Post to get involved actively.

Ten industrial commandments

The Government’s modern Industrial Strategy sets out plans to build a highly-skilled, competitive economy that benefits people in the UK.

It aims to build on Britain’s strengths and tackle its weaknesses to secure a future as a competitive nation. The ten pillars are: investing in science, research and innovation; upgrading infrastructure; improving procurement; delivering affordable energy and clean growth; driving growth across the whole country; developing skills; supporting businesses to start and grow; encouraging trade and inward investment; cultivating world-leading sectors; creating the right local institutions.