Business feedback wanted for Local Industrial Strategy

Businesses are being urged to respond to the West Midlands Local Industrial Strategy Consultation document and help shape the future prosperity of the region.

A five-week consultation has been launched to gather views on how to release and nurture the region’s economic potential and harness its strengths to meet the challenges and opportunities of a post-Brexit, technology-driven world.

With more than £4.5bn of investment in infrastructure, skills training and housing already lined up for the region over the next decade and opportunities for a further £10bn, the Local Industrial Strategy will channel that investment so it generates the maximum benefit for both businesses and local people.

The strategy document is the result of work by the West Midlands Combined Authority and the region’s three local enterprise partnerships – Black Country, Coventry & Warwickshire and Greater Birmingham & Solihull.

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “Our goal is to build on recent success to continue to create an economy that works for everyone – one that delivers decent, well-paid jobs for local people and the right conditions for competitive, world-leading businesses to thrive and grow.

“But this needs to be a strategy by business for business which is why it’s important that companies and organisations give their views on how to secure a prosperous future.”

The consultation document highlights the region’s position as the UK centre for innovation in new forms of transport, a global leader for testing and bringing on stream new medicines and health devices, and the biggest financial and professional services cluster outside London.

Jonathan Browning, chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership and chair of the Strategic Economic Development Board, said: “The West Midlands Local Industrial Strategy is focused on driving productivity and growth and this consultation gives people the perfect opportunity to have their say on the region’s development.”

The West Midlands Local Industrial Strategy Consultation document and the consultation survey, which ends on Thursday November 15, can be found at www.wmca.org.uk/what-we-do/industrial-strategy/