Forget getting back to normal, Bradford wants a future it deserves - Professor Zahir Irani

That is the hard reality. And that is why we have developed a bold and ambitious plan for public and private sector investors to back our recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and build a better and more inclusive future for all.

I urge business and civic leaders locally, regionally and nationally to get behind the Bradford District Economic Recovery Plan. It sets out a striking vision to help us sustain jobs, boost productivity and create a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient economy. It is our call to action and we want everyone to react.

Normal wasn’t good enough, but Bradford was making strong progress with its economic growth strategy before the pandemic hit. We were starting to attract investment, create jobs and improve the skills of our residents until Covid came along. The disease has undeniably dealt a cruel blow to our district and led to loss of life, loss of liberty, a shrinking economy and greater inequality.

An extraordinary effort will be required to address these challenges. Some are local, such as a rapid rise in youth unemployment, poor connectivity or our reputation outside the district.

Others are national, such as the social and economic fallout from the lockdowns, the increased pressure on public finances and the UK’s exit from the European Union.

Digital transformation has accelerated across the board, bringing productivity gains and new innovations and the growing global importance of the green economy will benefit places with strong social, business and physical assets like Bradford.

Our plan identifies five major opportunities for Bradford. We must equip our young and diverse population with skills to succeed. We must support our businesses to use new technologies and drive innovation. We must leverage our cultural assets and distinctive places to spur economic growth. We must enable all people to lead healthy and productive lives. And we must transition to a sustainable, resilient and connected economy.

The plan focuses actions and investment on education and skills to develop human capital, business environment to nurture start-ups and scale-ups, research and innovation for the knowledge-based economy and physical and digital infrastructure to boost connectivity and productivity.

These interventions will happen with the support of our partners across the Bradford district, the Leeds City Region, West Yorkshire and central government and will contribute to the long-awaited ‘levelling up’ promised by the Prime Minister at the last election.

Now is the time to deliver on the plan. The current economic crisis can be repurposed to our advantage. By supporting changes to the economy and encouraging new ways of working, we have an opportunity to better position Bradford and generate improved health outcomes and wellbeing for everyone in our district.

Yes, we face tremendous challenges in coming months and years. Unemployment has nearly doubled in the last 12 months with a significant spike in joblessness among the young. But the underlying spirit of enterprise and entrepreneurship stands us in good stead in Bradford.

The district was the second most entrepreneurial city in Britain last year based on the number of new business formations per head of population. That shows a will to succeed even in the most challenging of times.

And it gives me great hope that we won’t go back to normal when this crisis is over.