Engine Strategy will see the Midlands become the UK’s true powerhouse

The publication of the government’s Midlands Engine Strategy will empower the region to become the UK’s true economic powerhouse.

Sir John Peace, who chairs the Midlands Engine, said the East and West Midlands had come together in a way never seen before and the various constituent parts were intent on delivering in the region’s full economic potential.

“We believe that with the right investments in place the Midlands can raise its performance to match global cities like Singapore, Shanghai and New York. We can grow faster and generate more wealth, helping the government to create an economy that serves everyone well,” he said.

“The government sets out in the Midlands Engine Strategy what more it believes we are capable of achieving when we organise as a region and how they will support us. We will consult widely amongst our partners, particularly among young people who will live in the future we work to create.

“We will publish an ambitious vision of the Midlands of the future. A vision of a Midlands that thinks big, acts big, and aims higher, through a realistic plan to make it happen.”

The Midlands Engine Strategy includes the government’s announcement that the third round of Growth Deals will see £392m distributed to LEPs in the Midlands, helping to support local projects such as improving transport connections and boosting skills.

Alongside the Midlands Engine Strategy, the government has also published the Midlands Transport Strategy that identifies the key infrastructure investments that will better connect Midlands towns and cities.

Midlands Connect has been tasked by the government with identifying transport initiatives to unlock the growth potential of the Midlands. Its final strategy was presented to Westminster this week following 18 months of detailed, evidenced-based work.  

Key transport infrastructure projects have been set out, which together have the capacity to unlock billions in untapped economic potential and create 300,000 Midlands jobs over the next two decades.

“We sit at the heart of the UK’s transport network and therefore an investment in this region’s transport will have a remarkable benefit to the whole country and create a positive ripple effect to boost the development of industry, skills and infrastructure,” added Sir John.

“This strategy will help to secure the further infrastructure funding needed to lay the groundwork for improved connectivity across the Midlands, bringing the East and West closer together and opening the region’s businesses to the world.

“If this strategy is fully realised the Midlands, together with Government, has an opportunity to use HS2 as a catalyst for growth and create a transport network that can deliver a once in a generation opportunity for long term economic success not just for us here, in the Midlands Engine, but across the UK.”

Communities Secretary and Midlands Engine Ministerial Champion, Sajid Javid said: “Backed by millions in investment, this new strategy will help create more jobs and boost skills in the region. It will also showcase to investors here and abroad everything the Midlands Engine has to offer.”