Our hopes for the year business year ahead

How can we help the region’s economy grow this year? Deputy Business Editor Greg Wright spoke to senior figures in the business community
Lucy Thornycroft the new director of the CBI in Yorkshire and the Humber. 23 January 2015.  Picture Bruce RollionsonLucy Thornycroft the new director of the CBI in Yorkshire and the Humber. 23 January 2015.  Picture Bruce Rollionson
Lucy Thornycroft the new director of the CBI in Yorkshire and the Humber. 23 January 2015. Picture Bruce Rollionson

But there are significant challenges, as can be evidenced by the fluctuating fortunes of the manufacturing and services sector.

For every two steps forward, we take one step back. I would like to see the Government enable businesses to grow, through major investment in transport infrastructure and a commitment to skills and training. Private sector businesses must be at the forefront of our economic recovery – and we must ensure that conditions are right to enable them to invest, employ and export. Crucially, the government must provide a framework that enables us to retain the benefit of that growth in the region. I would like to see more growth in sectors where Yorkshire and the Humber is already strong. Much has been made of our expertise in advanced manufacturing, healthcare technology and the creative and digital services, yet there is still more that we can do to unite expertise from our private sector, local government and some of the world’s best universities.

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One of my primary concerns is a long-standing lack of investment in our transport infrastructure, which I am pleased to see the government tackling through its Northern Powerhouse agenda. The big ticket investments – HS2 and the Northern Hub electrification – must be supplemented by investment in local lines.