New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Chair Doug Field met Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday (19 June) to discuss how LEPs and Government can work more closely together to accelerate business growth.
He joined 31 LEP Chairs from across the country for the first Council of LEP Chairs at 10 Downing Street with the Prime Minister Theresa May; the Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy; the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and Jake Berry MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The Chairs were invited to discuss the Grand Challenges in the Government’s Industrial Strategy and opportunities which those present in local areas. They also discussed the skills challenges facing many businesses.
Doug spoke about the East’s clean energy sector and how it can support the UK’s ambition to lead the world in the development of low carbon technologies. With £50bn of capital investment planned in clean energy both in and off the shores of our region by 2020, he highlighted the role which local partners and businesses play in working together to accelerate growth and to ensure that this major investment will have a real impact on local businesses and communities.
Following the meeting, Doug Field said: “It was a privilege to visit Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister. The Government recognises the important work of LEPs across the country and the Ministers were very keen to hear about the challenges being faced by local businesses, especially around skills.
“We have been involved in the development of the Government’s Industrial Strategy for some time and I was pleased to be able to highlight the East’s flourishing energy sector as a key driver for economic growth, not just for the East but for the whole of the country.”
Welcoming the Council of LEP Chairs, Prime Minister Theresa May said: “Local Enterprise Partnerships play a vital role in supporting businesses and innovation across England. From the International Aviation Academy Norwich – the first of its kind in the UK – to Enterprise M3’s 5G innovation centre, LEPs are developing skills, delivering infrastructure, and securing investment.
“That’s why our Modern Industrial Strategy is clear that they must continue to play a crucial role in our plans to deliver further growth in local economies.
“Today’s first meeting of the Council marks a milestone in this partnership. By working even more closely together, we will continue to maximise our efforts in creating jobs, growth and investment right across the country, delivering long-term, meaningful results for local communities.”
