State of the Region 2013: Are we getting it right?
A COMMITMENT by Chancellor George Osborne in yesterday’s Autumn Statement to devolve more power to the regions has been widely welcomed.
Having the power to make a real difference at the local level in areas such as transport and skills is what local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) have been calling for.
But now we want to hear from you about whether you think regional initiatives are making a real difference to the West Midlands economy.
Take TheBusinessDesk.com’s annual State of the Region survey and let us know what you think of LEPs, enterprise zones and plans to restore economic confidence and get things moving at the regional level.
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Our major online survey is supported by lead sponsor DLA Piper and backed by Yorkshire Bank and the CBI.
It gives a comprehensive view of business sentiment across three of the UK’s biggest economic areas: The West Midlands, Yorkshire and the North West.
Following the collation of the findings of the survey, which looks at issues including international trade, employee issues and predictions for the UK economy, the results will be published on TheBusinessDesk.com in the New Year.
David Brammer, legal director in planning at DLA Piper in Birmingham (left), said: “Last year West Midlands businesses reported that public sector spending cuts were the biggest challenge they would face in 2012. Respondents reserved judgement on the newly formed LEPs, with 42% saying they did not yet know what impact they would have upon on the region. However, the majority (70%) were positive about the potential of economic zones.
“As we head into 2013 the LEPs have been in place for a full year and the six key economic zones have been progressed, focusing on the six sectors that are believed to have the greatest impact on attracting inward investment to the West Midlands.
“However, the public purse still remains tight and during the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement we saw the announcement of further cuts and constraints in response to downgraded forecasts for growth.
“We are interested to see how businesses have evolved and adapted to face the challenges of the regional and UK economy and whether they feel that as a region, we now have a stronger blueprint to achieve a return to growth.”
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