The Great South West partners have published a local growth prospectus today, that aims to deliver £45 billion of economic benefit and 190,000 new jobs over the next 15 years.
I’s ambition is to sit alongside the Government-backed Northern Powerhouse, Midlands Engine and Western Gateway economic areas, and includes businesses, LEPs, universities, colleges and local government as a mechanism to attract additional investment in to the area.
At the heart of the growth prospectus is the ambition to make the GSW the cleanest economy in the England and the first to be net zero carbon. It’s focus is on creating world-leading growth in the “green” and “blue” economies, backed by a wealth of natural assets on land and sea, groundbreaking companies and research expertise.
The prospectus lays out how the Government support, the Great South West can be a test bed for new thinking and new technologies to accelerate the move to a greener, more prosperous economy, and tackle shared challenges like poor connectivity, an ageing population, poor productivity and climate change. For more specifics click here.
Jim Stewart, Chair of Dorset LEP, said: “The Great South West is poised for a step change in productivity and prosperity, and supported by the government, we can capitalise on opportunities presented by the Industrial Strategy, building momentum for a region that is of national and international significance. This prospectus clearly sets out our ambitions to become the leading region for the green and blue economy”
“The Great South West prospectus will be formally submitted to Government shortly and has the backing of Sir Gary Streeter, Chair of the Great South West All Party Parliamentary Group and Conservative MP for South West Devon.”