Western Gateway prepares a plan for sustainable growth
A plan for sustainable growth for South Wales and Western England will be launched at the 2024 Convention of the Western Gateway.
The event on July 5 is also expected to hear from senior Conservative and Labour politicians from the UK and Wales.
The convention at ICC Wales in Newport is expected to bring together 750 businesses, academics and civic leaders. It is being led by the Western Gateway, the pan-regional partnership for South Wales and Western England that was launched in 2019.
Cllr Jane Mudd, leader of Newport Council and vice-chair of the Western Gateway Partnership said: “With a highly skilled workforce, world leading innovation and a centre for major industry, our area has huge potential to deliver for the UK economy with a key role to play in ensuring we create the growth our country needs.
“For too long the conversation in the UK has been focused on a North and South divide. We are ready to make the case for why South Wales and Western England will be key to ensuring the UK can build on success to generate the opportunities our economy needs to create real sustainable growth.”
The Western Gateway has been leading a campaign to invest in the area’s rail network, developed a cross border strategy for how hydrogen can decarbonise industry and championed new low carbon energy sites as a way to deliver high-skilled jobs for future generations.
Cllr Mark Hawthorne, leader of Gloucestershire County Council and vice-chair of the Western Gateway Partnership, added: “There is more that unites our communities than divides us.
“Together our shared strengths and assets present a genuinely world-leading opportunity to ensure we can help lead the UK into a more productive future, adding £34bn to the UK economy by 2030.”
