Midlands will play a key role in new Industrial Strategy pledges Business Secretary

COMPANIES and organisations in Birmingham and the West Midlands will be widely consulted on the Government’s new Industrial Strategy, Business Secretary Greg Clark has promised.

Speaking to TheBusinessDesk.com during a visit to Birmingham, Mr Clark said it was important that as many people as possible contributed to the formulation of the new strategy, which is launched by the Government today.

The new plan could help define how the Midlands Engine develops as the catalyst to economic growth within the region.

The new strategy will cover the whole of industry, not just manufacturing and will assess where investment can best be utilised to create new, high-value jobs.

Therefore, sectors such as the life sciences, creative industries, nuclear and technology will all be the subject of special attention.

The aim is to make the UK a leading industrial nation in the post-Brexit world.

A key part of the plan will look at how the Government can provide support to businesses by agreeing new trade deals, cutting red tape, and supporting innovative research bodies such as the universities.

Mr Clark said: “The Midlands is rightly recognised for its strong manufacturing industry but our new strategy will be so much more than helping just one sector.

“We want to look at technology, innovation, the creative industries, all of which are strong in the Midlands.

“This will be an over-arching strategy that will encompass the whole industrial spectrum and I can promise that Birmingham and the wider West Midlands will be fully consulted on our plans so that we can move forward together and develop our economy.”

Mr Clark was speaking during a visit to officially open the offices of software firm, the Advanced, in Birmingham’s Mailbox.

However, earlier in the day he said had visited Jaguar Land Rover where he had spoken to chief executive Ralf Speth about the company’s plans for its new driverless vehicle technology.

“This perfect combination of technology and manufacturing is exactly what the new Industrial Strategy is intended to achieve,” said the Business Strategy.

“We must support this kind of innovation so that we can grow our economy still further.”

Accompanying the Business Secretary on the visit to Advanced was Conservative Mayoral candidate for the West Midlands, Andy Street.

Mr Clark said: “Much of the success of the new Industrial Strategy in the West Midlands will depend on the role of the new Mayor.

“Andy has a proven record of delivering growth for the region during his role as chairman of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership – so he knows what will be required and can deliver what business needs.”