Ministerial local growth champions to work with LEPs
THE renamed Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has launched a scheme “to build on existing relationships” with Local Enterprise Partnerships.
Its ministers will act as “local growth champions” to the LEPs, it said.
Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark announced the move on a visit to Belfast yesterday.
He said: “Government has helped transform the business landscape by putting power back into the hands of local communities and businesses to drive economic growth.
“To make sure every corner of the UK benefits, I am giving ministers in my team geographic areas of responsibility so they can build on existing relationships to better connect government policy with the businesses and industries we’re working with.”
The minister covering the Humber, York and North Yorkshire, Leeds and Sheffield regions is Nick Hurd, MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner in Greater London.
Kishor Tailor, chief executive of the Humber LEP told TheBusinessDesk.com: “We are pleased the government has shown commitment to localities. A lead minister will help us get our messages out, providing a direct inroad into the department to identify local issues and challenges and help them develop.”
Roger Marsh OBE, chairman of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) said: “It is reassuring to see that local growth remains a priority for the new government to help us achieve our ambitions for the Leeds City Region economy and enhance the work of the LEP.
“We are already delivering impact at a regional level, helping 4,300 businesses to grow, creating an additional 2,300 work opportunities for young people and unlocking £491m in private sector investment. But we have further to go with a clear vision for growth through local initiatives and I look forward to further building our relationships with government to help us achieve this.”
