Growth strategy aims to create Leeds “economic boom”
A growth strategy launched by Leeds City Council which aims to make the most of the city’s “economic boom” has been launched.
The consultation draft of the Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy was approved by senior councillors recently, with businesses being asked to get involved in a city-wide consultation.
Covering the period 2017 until 2023, the 12 key areas the strategy focuses include putting children at the heart of the city’s growth, improving careers advice and opportunities, improving the quality of jobs, tackling low pay and in-work progression, and boosting productivity.
This comes as plans to double the size of Leeds city centre heat up, with the South Bank, Innovation Districts around the universities and hospital and a rebuilt Leeds Rail Station,
The strategy will also boost Leeds’s bid to be European Capital of Culture in 2023 by helping to increase visitors and supporting the growth of the cultural and creative sector.
Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “Leeds is enjoying a period of unprecedented prosperity and growth, with a vibrant, successful and resilient economy filled with innovation and enterprise.
“But it’s crucial that the city as a whole benefits from that success and that the people of Leeds remain at the heart of how we work with businesses and developers, both now and in the future.”
The launch of the strategy comes as Leeds boasts its highest level of completed developments for a decade. The city’s business tourism has also been valued at £500m and Leeds is the fifth most popular conference destination in the UK.
“Alongside partners in the private sector, our aim is to stimulate inclusive growth which reduces inequality through a strategy that provides job opportunities for everyone, brings down unemployment and increases wages.
“There’s no question we need to do more to ensure everyone in the city both contributes to and benefits from the success of our economy. By pledging their support for this strategy and making its core values a key part of how they operate, businesses can be part of securing a more balanced, sustainable and successful Leeds economy than ever before.”
Consultation on the Inclusive Growth Strategy will run until October 16. The final strategy will then be published in January, 2018.
Pictured: Sharon Watson and Councillor Judith Blake at the launch of the 2023 steering group
