Northern businesses share their comments and queries with ministers
More than 30 Northern businesses joined a webinar with Government ministers and officials from the Department of Business on Friday, to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on the region’s economy and its business community.
The participating businesses, heard from the Minister for Business and Industry Nadhim Zahawi MP, together with the Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government Simon Clarke MP, before having the opportunity to put forward questions and comments on how Northern industries can rise to the challenges and prepare for a strong recovery.
The session covered a number of pertinent issues including discussions on the current application processes for new loans and repayments (such as the CBILs, Bounce Back Loans and Job Retention Scheme). It also looked at the potential for retraining and reskilling employees across key sectors, and options for existing and further devolution of place-based investment models.
The NP11 is currently working with stakeholders and businesses across the North to prepare a business recovery plan for the region that aligns with the priorities and five ‘game changers’ for the North, as outlined in its Manifesto for the North.
Chair of the NP11 and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, Roger Marsh OBE DL, said: “The NP11’s network of Northern LEPs have been working tirelessly with the Government and our regional partners to accelerate new business support mechanisms, unlock further funding where possible, and ensure that no stone is left unturned for those businesses and sectors that have been hit hardest by this global health crisis.
“Our attention is now increasingly focused on planning for a strong economic recovery. Having the ear of the Government and the ongoing insight from the North’s business community is vital at this time, to help ensure that we play to our strengths and work collaboratively to create new opportunities while rebuilding the Northern economy.”
Neil Smith, chairman of Herida Healthcare, who attended the call as a representative for the Leeds City Region added: “The importance of public and private sector interaction at this critical time is absolutely crucial. Having partaken in today’s call, I’m delighted to see the levels of support available from Government and wider organisations, who have been very supportive of Herida Healthcare and many others. Such activity has allowed our business to provide key products and services, like that of PPE to those on the front line at the height of the COVID-19 crisis. The important part now is to not only continue, but enhance our collective efforts from the desirable skillset of the North”.
