Government’s ‘growth’ mantra could be levelling-up with rocket-boosters

By Julian Pearce, Managing Director of communications agency Yasper

Words are important, and there’s one that the senior echelons of British political power have been intent on rolling out more than any other since the start of 2025: growth.

Given the current economic climate – and the multitude of trackers, surveys and polls that have pointed to pessimism within the wealth-creating community – it’s hardly a surprise to see the word trip so readily from the mouths of politicians.

But what is the substance behind the soundbite? Well, if you dig a little deeper, the beginnings of a plan seem to be emerging from Labour ranks, and it’s important that businesses of all sizes are alive to the opportunity.

Last week, the Chancellor – backed by a battalion of supportive ministers popping up on the airwaves – announced that growth would trump every other factor when it came to decision making, whether that be the environment, red tape, or NIMBYism.

Whether the approach aligns with your own ethos or not, it’s clear that the Government is searching high and low for where that all-important growth will come from.

And this is where businesses come in. While ministers have been doing the rounds, visiting large infrastructure providers, announcing the intent to progress with growth-enabling projects, companies of all sizes should get on board with this new-found Government mantra.

To borrow a phrase from several prime ministers ago, projects that are ‘oven ready’ and that clearly demonstrate how they can provide economic uplift are likely to be looked upon favourably.

Communications is as important in politics as it is in business, and while repeating the ‘G’ word over and over again in itself won’t help address the current malaise that is being felt by many employers, it’s incumbent on them to embrace the invitation.

We’re already seeing some of the UK’s most prominent businesses do just that. In the past few weeks, we’ve seen Rolls Royce announce a £9bn deal to produce nuclear reactors for the Royal Navy and we’re due to hear imminently about a third runway at Heathrow – with all the indicators pointing to a decision in the affirmative.

But the growth agenda goes far beyond the City. Enabling regional growth can have a massive collective impact on UK plc. We have significant infrastructure opportunities outside of the capital – rail, road, sea and aviation all have a role to play.

And there is evidence that the regions feature as a cornerstone of these growth plans. At her major speech at Davos last week, and ahead of further announcements today, Rachel Reeves said: “Those with local knowledge and skin in the game are best placed to know what their area needs, and our transformative reforms will put local leaders at the centre of a network that will connect them with investment opportunities, bringing wealth and jobs to their communities.”

There is an opportunity for this to be levelling-up, with the gloves off.

Meanwhile, the government has committed to making 150 decisions on major economic infrastructure applications over this Parliament, including airports, datacentres, retail and housing.

Growth decisions in the past have often been ‘chicken or egg’. Do you build the infrastructure to enable growth, or can growth make infrastructure viable? What’s certain is that transport infrastructure, in particular, is crucial, but the firms that will benefit will come from almost every sector.

It is understandable that there is some hesitancy among businesses given the current climate, but this could – and should – be a case of fortune favouring the brave.

And for every Heathrow or Rolls Royce, there are a thousand smaller and less well-known businesses that will be assessing their own growth plans. Now might be the time to engage with local stakeholders to make the case for their own investment decisions.