Region’s leaders approve 20-year blueprint for economic recovery and growth

The Sheffield City Region Mayoral Combined Authority and Local Enterprise Partnership have approved their 20-year Strategic Economic Plan (SEP).

It sets out local leaders’ blueprint to drive the region’s recovery from Covid-19 and transform South Yorkshire’s economy and society for people, businesses and places.

The plan aims to make South Yorkshire’s economy very different by 2041, with an extra £7.6bn GVA, 33,000 extra people in higher level jobs, reduced income inequality and improved wages by over £1,500 for the lowest paid, and a net zero carbon economy.

Mayor of Sheffield City Region, Dan Jarvis, said: “The approval of the Strategic Economic Plan is a significant signal of intent to Government, investors and people and businesses in our region.

“This landmark plan sets out how we will transform our region as we seek to overcome the biggest economic challenge in a generation.

“We want to create good, high-paid jobs for local people, attract investment and ensure our people have the skills they need to thrive.

“We will work with our partners to improve the health of our residents, reach net zero emissions by 2040 and transform the places people live.

“The South Yorkshire economy has huge untapped potential. This is an unashamedly ambitious plan, but I am already working closely with our local authorities, business partners and Government to making our goals a reality.”

James Muir, chair of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, also welcomed the approval of the SEP.

He added: “South Yorkshire’s business community is integral to the implementation of this plan as we look to accelerate them on the national and global stage and improve our ways of working so that business and employment contributes to the wellbeing and quality of life of our people.

“Industrialising innovation and creating the skill sets to match are at the heart of this plan.

“It will shape the way we operate for many years to come as we unlock the potential of people and businesses across South Yorkshire.”

The Strategic Economic Plan has been developed in collaboration with South Yorkshire’s four councils and will help the Sheffield City Region MCA and LEP secure additional funding from Government, such as through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Councillor Sir Steve Houghton, leader of Barnsley Council, said: “This Strategic Economic Plan is in line with our economic aspirations for Barnsley, and will help to bring in the funding needed to create more jobs and more businesses.

“We welcome its publication, and the important thing now is to use it to drive economic development once we come through the pandemic.”

Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, said: “We have ambitious plans to create a strong and diverse economy that benefits all Doncaster communities and at the same time complements the climate change agenda.

“This Strategic Economic Plan is a key tool helping us to achieve this goal, supporting our vision for a prosperous borough for all, and assisting Doncaster to secure government funding to deliver.”

Bob Johnson

Leader of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, Cllr Chris Read, said: “This is an important plan that sets out our shared priorities to improve the South Yorkshire economy.

“It paves the way for not only an economy that can grow and thrive, creating jobs for our residents, but one that can also help with our commitment to a more sustainable future.”

Councillor Bob Johnson, leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “The pandemic has had a huge impact on South Yorkshire’s economy and so the approval of the Strategic Economic Plan is a momentous step in the right direction.

“Not only will this create jobs for local people, but it concentrates on sustainability too, a key focus for us in the coming years.”

 


 

Sheffield City Region mayor Dan Jarvis is one of the speakers at TheBusinessDesk.com’s major virtual conference, Invest North, which takes place on March 24. Click here to find out more about why you should be at the event:

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