Business Leadership Team launches manifesto
A ‘MANIFESTO’ has been launched as business leaders bid for a dramatic improvement in skills levels to help the world-class science sector in the North West drive growth.
The North West Business Leadership Team (NWBTL) has published Priming the Powerhouse – A Business Manifesto for England’s North West.
It brings together the input of 30 of the region’s most significant businesses alongside input from regional policy makers and members of parliament.
The manifesto calls for the North West’s world-class science base to be bolstered and for dramatic improvements to regional skills levels in order to drive economic growth.
The team also welcomes the Northern Powerhouse proposals and Greater Manchester devolution agreement and sees the whole North West benefiting from major investments in strategic transport infrastructure.
Stronger collaboration across the Pennines offers scope for further economic growth throughout the North of England.
The NWBTL’s membership consists of businesses in manufacturing, services, utilities and professional services as well as its leading universities. Since 2013 the grouping has extensively called for greater regional investment in critical assets as well making the case for stronger devolution through a series of reports and close cooperation with Government.
The manifesto will be submitted to Government and used as a regional call to action for the next administration following the General Election in May. The NWBLT is openly calling for a number of commitments to the region.
It is calling for major commitments to produce and publicise a full prospectus, demonstrating that the North West offers outstanding investment opportunities in advanced materials, energy research, cancer research and in data sensitive science.
NWBLT chair Juergen Maier and chief executive of Siemens UK and Ireland, said: “The focus on the North West is clear. In the context of devolution and the creation of a Northern Powerhouse we need to promote our world-class science and technology; and focus on improving our skills levels.
“These are fundamental to our prospects of delivering real, sustainable economic growth in North West England for the years to come.”
“Greater Manchester is forging ahead with economic devolution. We would like to see the devolution process extended to Liverpool as early as possible – so both city regions can thrive together.
“We will continue to work with both Government and Opposition parties to play our part in building the ‘Northern Powerhouse, maximising the potential of the North West as a great place to do business, encourage investment and promote economic and employment growth.
“By making this case we hope to see greater investment, more manufacturing in the region and critically falling unemployment coupled with higher meaningful growth.”
Mike Blackburn, North West Regional manager at BT and Greater Manchester LEP chair said: “Businesses welcome the proposals for devolved powers for Greater Manchester and we continue to strongly support the devolution of decision-making powers to other Northern city regions, with strong local governance.
“The time has clearly come for substantial increases in the functions, decision-making powers and funding to be allocated to the North of England, particularly to the major City Regions and the Local Enterprise Partnerships.”
“The NWBLT has collaborated with group members and other organisations in the North West in compiling the manifesto, including Siemens, BT, Baxi, Grosvenor Group, BAE Systems, AstraZeneca, Brammer, Peel, EY, PWC, and the Universities of Manchester, Liverpool and Lancaster.”
