the midlands engine vision for growth · pdf filesummary this is the midlands engine vision...

Our response to the Government’s Midlands Engine Strategy

THE MIDLANDS ENGINE VISION

FOR GROWTH

BirminghamAirport

East Midlands Airport

Immingham

HS2 Interchange UK Central (Solihull)

HS2 East Midlands Hub

Old Oak Common LONDON

Peterborough

Luton

Grimsby

Shrewsbury

WOLVERHAMPTON

BIRMINGHAM

Stafford

COVENTRY

LEICESTER

DERBY

STOKE-ON-TRENT

NOTTINGHAM

Skegness

Boston

Warwick

Stratford-upon-AvonWORCESTER

HEREFORD

Milton Keynes

Telford

LINCOLN

Solihull

Dudley

Nuneaton

M5

M42

M50

A49

A49

A40

A49

M40

M6

M1

M42

M6

M54 M6TO L L

HS2 Phase 1

A42

M69

A5

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HS2 Phase 2

HS2 Phase 2

A50

THE MIDLANDS

3Vision for GrowthTHE MIDLANDS ENGINE

CONTENTS

5 Foreword

6 ExecutiveSummary

10 WearetheMidlandsEngine

14 StrongFoundationsforGrowth:theMidlands2017

16 LookingBeyondtheHorizon:theMidlands2030

18 OurVisionforGrowth

20 1.ConnecttheMidlands

24 2.InvestinStrategicInfrastructure

28 3.GrowInternationalTradeandInvestment

30 4.IncreaseInnovationandEnterprise

34 5.ShapeGreatPlaces

38 ChampionLocalPriorities:skillsanddevolution

40 SecurePrivateSectorInvestment

42 BuildthePartnership

44 TurnthisVisionintoaReality

46 Glossary

PAGE

BirminghamAirport

East Midlands Airport

Immingham

HS2 Interchange UK Central (Solihull)

HS2 East Midlands Hub

Old Oak Common LONDON

Peterborough

Luton

Grimsby

Shrewsbury

WOLVERHAMPTON

BIRMINGHAM

Stafford

COVENTRY

LEICESTER

DERBY

STOKE-ON-TRENT

NOTTINGHAM

Skegness

Boston

Warwick

Stratford-upon-AvonWORCESTER

HEREFORD

Milton Keynes

Telford

LINCOLN

Solihull

Dudley

Nuneaton

M5

M42

M50

A49

A49

A40

A49

M40

M6

M1

M42

M6

M54 M6TO L L

HS2 Phase 1

A42

M69

A5

A5

HS2 Phase 2

HS2 Phase 2

A50

WE WILL PROVE THAT WHEN THE MIDLANDS SUCCEEDS, BRITAIN SUCCEEDS.


FOREWORD

As a Midlander, I know very well how much this region has to offer. As a businessman, I am convinced that the UK’s future economic prosperity can be driven by Midlands industry, innovation and energy.The Midlands is home to some of the country’s leading businesses and top talent, and offers an enviable quality of life. In the past, we have performed less well than some other parts of the country. Our productivity is lower, some skills are in shorter supply and employment rates lag behind.Coming together, supported by Government, to form the Midlands Engine Partnership, we have created the opportunity to change things. We have the chance to work, and to compete, at a scale that makes sense in global markets and to prepare the Midlands for a post-Brexit economy.To tackle our under-performance, we need to be bold and to do more to improve our productivity and drive economic growth. This is vital to achieving the objective which is most important to us – improving living standards, prosperity and opportunity across the Midlands. Inclusive growth requires better productivity and that’s the focus of our partnership.Together we can shape our ambition for the Midlands of 2030.In developing this vision, we’ve spoken to many of our business leaders, innovators, local authorities and LEPs to understand their needs and priorities. We will continue this engagement throughout the autumn, with a roadshow targeted at our small and medium sized businesses.The success of the Midlands depends on the Midlands itself, but we need investment, and collaboration with Government, to kick-start and accelerate growth. The prize is huge; if our £207 billion economy were as productive as the UK average it would be a £261 billion economy.The Government launched its Midlands Engine Strategy in March of this year, including a commitment to invest £4 million in our partnership, which we welcome. The strategy is an endorsement of our efforts and highlights the added-value that the Midlands Engine Partnership has delivered since its launch.

We have improved our approach to attracting foreign investment, published a credible long-term transport investment strategy and undertaken the country’s largest Science and Innovation Audit which emphasises our globally significant assets and industry sectors.The £250 million Midlands Engine Investment Fund has been launched to provide growth finance to SMEs. This is a good start, but I want us to go much further. I think we need a £1 billion fund to support SME business growth as we make real our vision of the Midlands in 2030.This vision is our response to the Government’s strategy and expresses our intent to maximise their return on investment for the benefit not just of the Midlands, but the whole of the UK.We want to do things differently, working on five priorities which are set out in this vision. Each builds on our track record and strengths and will benefit the whole region to a greater extent than any single organisation could achieve working alone.Working collaboratively on these areas of focus, and by supporting the achievement of local priorities such as addressing skills shortages, we will rapidly accelerate growth.We are keen to continue to work with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government as our plans develop. By working closely with Government we will rebalance the UK economy by better-connecting the region, investing in our strategic infrastructure, growing our innovative clusters and sectors, increasing our international investment and trade promotion activities, and shaping great places to live, work, learn and visit.Now is the Midlands moment. Watch us grow.

Sir John PeaceChair,MidlandsEngine

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ThisistheMidlandsEngineVisionforGrowth.ItincludesourresponsetotheGovernment’sMidlandsEngineStrategyandsetsoutfiveprioritiesforinvestmentthatwillenabletheMidlandstocontributetotheUK’sIndustrialStrategyanddriveBritain’spost-Brexitgrowth.

WewelcometheobjectiveslaidoutintheGovernment’sstrategyandpartnersacrosstheMidlandssharetheGovernment’saspirations.The£1.62billionofLocalGrowthFundmoneyprovidedtoMidlandsLocalEnterprisePartnershipshasalreadyallowedustomakecriticalinvestmentsininfrastructuretoimprovetransportanddigitalconnectivity,supportskills,unlockhousingandbusinessgrowthanddrivecivicrenewal.

TheworldinwhichBritainneedstocompeteandprosperischangingrapidly,notjustintermsofourtradingrelationshipsbutalsohowweproduceandconsumegoodsandservices.Ourfocusistolookbeyondtheimmediatehorizon,towardstheBritainof2030.Bythenautonomousvehicles,artificialintelligencebasedmanufacturing,andhyper-fastconnectivitywillbethenormandHS2willbeupandrunning.

IntheMidlands,weareplanningforthisnowwithstrategicinvestmentsinnewenergy,innovationandconnectivity.Critically,wewanttoensurethatMidlandershavetheskillsandcreativitythatwillenablethemtocontributeto,andbenefitfrom,theseneweconomicopportunities.Thatishowwewillachievemoreinclusivegrowth.

Our core purpose is to create a Midlands Engine that powers the UK economy and competes on the world stage. Our strategic location, strong sense of identity and reputation as the beating heart of the national economy will ensure the UK’s future as a global economic power.

AstrongMidlandseconomywillgrowthenationaleconomy,attractmoreinvestmentandrebalancethenation.Wearealreadya£207billioneconomywithgrowthof18%overthelastfiveyears,butwearefarfromachievingourfullpotential.

MidlandsEnginepartnersarecommittedtocollaborationacrossourregiontosupportlocalandnationalprioritiesonproductivityandindustrialstrategy.

Our ambition is to close the GVA gap to match or exceed the national average and add £54 billion to the Midlands and UK economies by 2030.

THE MIDLANDS ENGINE VISION FOR GROWTH InvestingintheMidlandsEngineisessentialtotheUK’slong-termsuccess.Toachieveour2030ambition,weneedtoaccelerateproductivitygrowthacrosstheMidlands.Muchofthiswillbedrivenlocallyandsub-regionallybybusinesses,LEPs,universities,CouncilsandCombinedAuthoritieswithnewlydevolvedpowers.Thiswillincludedeliveringatransformationinskillsandeducationthatwillhelpboostproductivityandspreadprosperity.

TheMidlandsEngineisaboutadditionality,complementingtheworkofLocalandCombinedAuthorities,LEPs,universities,businessesandotherstogenerateadded-valueatscaleacrosstheMidlands.

Therefore,inthisreportwefocusonthepriorityareaswherecollaborationcanaccelerategrowthmostrapidlyandonfivepackagesofworkwhere,byinvestingandworkingtogether,wecanaddsignificantadditionalvaluetotheMidlandsandUKeconomiesandplayacentralroleindevelopingBritain’spost-Brexiteconomy.

Thesefivepackageseachinvolveamixtureofimmediateandlonger-terminvestmentsandinitiatives,thecumulativeimpactofwhichwillbeastepchangeinproductivityandinternationalcompetitiveness.Theyarethefivemainwayswewillachievegrowth,increaseprosperityandimprovequalityoflifeforallMidlanders:


1 CONNECT T HE MIDLANDS

Maximise new technologies to deliver a radical transformation of Midlands connectivity

DelivertheMidlandsConnectTransportStrategyandaccelerateHS2

Securefullfundingforarail,roadandsmartconnectivityinvestmentpackage

BecometheUK’stransportinnovationtestbed

Maximisethepotentialofourtwointernationalairports,includingthroughboldnewideastoboostcapacity

2 INVEST IN STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE

Invest in the most sustainable and advanced technology to deliver the infrastructure required to meet future business and resident needs

Investinourlong-termenergysecurity

Createa5Gdigitaltestbed

Increaseourlogisticsandfreightcapabilities

UseHS2asacatalystforgrowth,helpingdelivertheEastMidlandsHS2GrowthStrategy,theCurzonMasterplanandUKCentralHub

3 GROW INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT

Grow trade and investment in new markets to create jobs in a global economy

ExpandtheMidlandsEngineTradeandInvestmentProgramme

ExplorethepotentialofanInternationalFreeTradeZone

CreatearegionalsubventionfundtoattractlargeeventsandconferencesrelatedtoourstrengthsidentifiedbyourScienceandInnovationAudit(SIA)

4 INCREASE INNOVATION AND ENTERPRISE

Create an environment where the strengths identified by the Science and Innovation Audit can be maximised to benefit the whole region, helping to create successful growth businesses

WorkwithGovernmenttodevelopourSIAInvestmentProgrammeincluding:TransportInnovation,FutureFoodProcessing,MedicalTechnologiesInnovationandCrossIndustryTechnologyExploitationinClusters

CreateanewMidlandsManagementandLeadershipInstitute

SecureNationalInitiatives,SectorDealsandIndustrialStrategyChallengeFundinvestments

ProgressUKsupplychaininitiatives

5 SHAPE GREAT PLACES

Promote the Midlands as a great place to live, visit, learn and work

Hostthe2022CommonwealthGamesandaGREATExhibitionoftheCommonwealth

Securestrategicsectoralrelocations:includingChannel4andTheDefenceandNationalRehabilitationCentre

SupportourEuropeanCapitalofCultureandUKCityofCulturebids

Unlockhousinggrowth,enablingthebuildingofatleast600,000newhomeswithin15years

WorkwithVisitEnglandandVisitBritaintocreateandimplementtacticalvisitoranddestinationmarketingcampaigns

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Turn our Vision into Reality

Ourimmediatenextstepswillbetobuildourevidencebase,developanimplementationplanandpromotethisvisionacrosstheregion.

• Build the evidence base:TounderstandthecomplexitiesofaBrexit-readyeconomy,weneedarobustevidencebase.OurpartnerswillcreateaMidlandsEconomicObservatorythatcombinesfuture-scopingandinnovation-thinkingwithrigorousevaluation.Wewillestablishacommonframeworkforassessingtheimpactoftheworkweareprioritisingandofneweconomicopportunitiesastheyarise.

• Develop an action plan:TheMidlandsEngineisagreeingaspendingandactivityprofileforour£4millionOperatingBudget.Thiswillincludeboostingoursecretariatteamtoleadthepartnership,committingtocommunicationsandpromotionsactivitiesandassessingthefeasibilityofnewprojects.Ournextstepwillbetoimplementourgovernancereview,developadistributedleadershipstructure,withclearresponsibility,authorityandaccountability,todriveimplementationofourfiveworkpackages,andanassessmentoftheresource,capacityandcapabilityrequirementsofeach.

• Promote our vision:WorkingwithGovernmentwewillrunanin-regionawarenessandpromotioncampaigntosupportthelaunchoftheMidlandsEngineVisionforGrowth.Tobuildengagementandsupportforourgrowthambitionswewillrunaregion-wideroadshowtoconnectwithMidlandsbusinessesthisautumn.

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WE ARE THE MIDLANDS ENGINE

The Midlands Engine is a partnership of Local and Combined Authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships, universities and businesses working together in new and transformative ways to invigorate the £207 billion Midlands economy.

Hometoover10millionpeopleand440,000largeandsmallbusinesses,theMidlandshashugepotentialandtheMidlandsEnginePartnershipisfocusedonitsglobalsuccess.

TheMidlandseconomycoversadiverseandsubstantialarea,builtonagloballysignificantadvancedmanufacturingbase,withdemonstrablestrengthsinmultiplesectorsandtechnologyareas.Wearehometoworld-classresearch,fourCatapultcentres,majormulti-nationalresearchanddevelopment-intensivecompaniesandstrongsupplychains,particularlyinautomotiveandaerospaceengineering.

TheMidlandseconomyhasgrownby18%overthelastfiveyears,slightlyhigherthantheUKrate,butcontinuestounder-performnationally.Wearehometoover15%ofUKresidentsbutonlyjustover12%oftheeconomy.In2015productivityintheMidlandsEngineareawas£7,500belowthenationalaverageGVAperworker.Unlessourgrowthincreasesatafasterratewewillcontinuetopunchbelowourweight.

Noonemeasurealonewillchangethis.TheMidlandsEngineneedstofocusonanumberofissuesatthesametimeifwearetoincreaseproductivity,raiselivingstandards,andrebalancethenationaleconomy.


THE MIDLANDS ENGINE PRINCIPLES The Midlands Engine ways of working are guided by five principles.

• TheMidlandsEngineisaboutadditionality,complementingtheworkofLocalandCombinedAuthorities,LEPs,universities,businessesandotherstogenerateadded-valueatthegloballysensiblespatialscaleoftheMidlands

• OurcorefocusisonleveragingthecapacityoftheMidlandstohelpBritainsucceed.Ourpolicyapproachremainsapolitical,focusingonincreasingproductiveeconomicgrowthandimprovingqualityoflife

• TheMidlandsEnginewilldefinealong-termstrategicplanthatwillsecureanumberofhighimpactinitiativesandinvestmentsfortheUK

• TheMidlandsEnginewillworkonprojectsthatbenefitthewholeregionanddevelopaself-sustainingandresilientpartnershipmodel

• TheMidlandsEnginePartnershipwillworkcollaborativelyandspeakwithonevoice,implementingadistributedleadershipmodeltodrivedelivery

Ourpartnersrecognisethebenefitsthatcanbeachievedthroughdecentralisationanddevolution.DeliveryshouldalwaysbeattheappropriatelevelandLocalAuthorities,CombinedAuthoritiesandLEPswilloftenbethedeliveryvehiclesoftheinclusivegrowthweseek.

TheMidlandsEnginewillchampionlocalprioritiesandwaysofworking,andforgeacommonidentitybasedoneconomiesofscalewhen,forexample,promotingtheregioninworldmarketsorplanningregionalinfrastructureinvestment.

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OUR GROWTH AMBITIONTheUKneedstoincreaseproductivitytobecompetitiveontheworldstageandtheMidlandsmustcontributemoretoUKgrowth.

OurambitionistomatchorexceedthenationalaverageGVAperheadby2030.IftheMidlandsEnginewereperformingatthisratetoday,theeconomywouldbe£54billionlarger.That’salmostthesizeoftheWelsheconomy.

LeadinginternationalregionsthataredrivingnationalinnovationandproductivitysuchasBavariainGermanyandtheGreaterPearlRiverDeltainChinashowwhatwehavethepotentialtoachieve.WithsimilareconomiestotheMidlands,bothpunchabovetheirweightintermsoftheircontributiontotheirnationaleconomies.IftheMidlandscanmatchthemwecanleadtheeconomictransformationnotjustoftheregion,buttheUK.

REBALANCING THE UK ECONOMYTheUKGovernmentbelievesthatiftheMidlandssucceeds,Britainsucceeds.Forthistobetrueweneedastepchangeinthewayweworktogethertotacklebarrierstoproductivity.

Since2014theMidlandsEnginehasreceived€1.4billionofEuropeanStructuralandInvestmentFunds,€245mofHorizon2020(to2016),and£1.6billionofLocalGrowthFunds.Suchinvestmentshelptoaddressourproductivitygap,raiselivingstandards,andrebalancetheeconomy,butweneedtodomoretobecomeaworld-classregionwhichdrivesUKgrowth.WewanttoplayacentralpartindiscussionswithGovernmentaboutthepost-2020fundinglandscape,identifyingprioritiesforthenewSharedProsperityfunding.

ThegrowthenjoyedbyBavariaandtheGreaterPearlRiverDeltaisnotdowntoluckorcoincidence.Governments,localbodies,businessesandstakeholdershavelaidthefoundationsofsuccess,includingthroughsecureinvestment,fortheeconomytoflourishandtogeneratemorehigh-valueeconomicactivity.

Weneedthesecurityoffundingthatwillallowustopoolresourcesandinvestatscale.AnearlycommitmenttocontinuedfundingviarepatriatedEuropeanUnionmoniescanprovidethissecurity.

Bavaria, Germany

18%ofthenationaleconomy

16%ofthepopulation

15%ofnationalexports

11%oftotalemploymentisinhighandmedium-hightechnologymanufacturing

Sectorstrengthsinautomotiveindustries,electricalengineering,mechanicalengineering,ICT,biotechnology,transport,telecommunications,energy

MunichisGermany’s3rdlargestcity

Greater Pearl River Delta

12%ofnationaleconomy

5%ofthepopulation


43%employedinindustrialactivity,55%inservices

Sectorstrengthsinelectronics,construction,textiles,automotive,pharmaceuticals

GuangzhouisChina’s3rdlargestcity

The Midlands

12%ofthenationaleconomy

15%ofthepopulation


38%oftotalemploymentisinkeysectors(thosethatdeliverhighestproductivityandattracthighestratesofFDIandgraduateemployment)

Sectorstrengthsinmanufacturing,transport,energy,construction,foodanddrink

BirminghamistheUK’s2ndlargestcity

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TEACHING EXCELLENCE TheMidlandsEnginehasnearlytwicetheUKaverageofTEFGoldrateduniversitiesforteachingexcellence

Agloballycompetitive

SPACE TECHNOLOGY SECTOR

STRONG FOUNDATIONS FOR GROWTH: THE MIDLANDS 2017

SecuredtheEnergy

RESEARCH ACCELERATOR

TheUK’sleadingMeditechcluster,

INCLUDING THE CENTRE FOR TRAUMA & DEFENCE MEDICINE

AT THE LEADING-EDGE OF NEXT GENERATIONtransportsystems,vehicles,andtechnologiesglobally

TheUK’slargest concentrationof

FOOD PROCESSORS & SUPPLY CHAIN COMPANIES

585,400 EMPLOYED IN LIFE SCIENCES AND 246,100 IN ADVANCED ENGINEERING SECTORS

ALMOST 27,500 BUSINESSES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR


MORE FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT THAN ANY OTHER REGION2011-2015

TheUK’slargestportbytonnageatImmingham,handling

55 MILLION TONNES

THE HEART OF BRITAIN’S HIGH SPEED RAIL NETWORK

MidlandsEngineInvestmentPortfolio

33 MAJOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVESTORS

LAUNCHED THE £250M MIDLANDS ENGINE INVESTMENT FUND

In2016theMidlandsEngineexportedover

£43BN WORTH OF GOODS, AND IS OUTSTRIPPING THE NATIONAL GROWTH RATE

MIDLANDS CONNECT STRATEGY LAUNCHED 2017

Hometosomeofthe

MOST ADVANCED MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT IN THE WORLD

Theonlyregiontohavea

TRADE SURPLUS WITH CHINA

AGREED EIGHT ENTERPRISE ZONES

EXCELLENT QUALITY OF LIFEwithtwoUNESCOWorldHeritageSites,theNationalForestandthePeakDistrict

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THE ECONOMIC ENGINE OF THE UK Weareknowngloballyforourhighlyproductiveindustrialsectors,researchandinnovativetechnologies,withanexcellentqualityoflifethatattractspeopleheretolive,visit,learnandwork.Ourcollaborationbetweeninstitutionsandenterprisesisrenowned.

LEADING CHANGE Ourstrengthintransporttechnologyandnetworkmanagementmeansweplayamajorroleinthedevelopmentofnextgenerationsmart-motorwaysandthedigitalrailway.

A YOUNG AND DIVERSE REGION 20to24-year-oldsareourlargestdemographicgroup,andwecontinuetocelebrateourethnicdiversityandmulti-nationalpopulation.

BETTER CONNECTED WITHIN THE REGION, NATIONALLY AND GLOBALLY MidlandsConnectismaximisingtheregion’spositionasthehubofthenationaltransportnetwork,makingEasttoWestandNorthtoSouthjourneyseasy.HS2hasdramaticallyshortenedsomejourneytimesandourtwoairportsandportarecontinuingtogrowasinternationalgateways.

INCREASED NUMBERS OF GOOD QUALITY JOBS Asthepaceofautomationincreaseswewillseeashiftinemploymentpatterns.Ourleadingworkinusingadvancedtechnology,digitisationanddata,prioritisesjobcreation,supportingentrepreneursandcompaniestocreatenewhigh-valuejobs.

LOOKING BEYOND THE HORIZON: THE MIDLANDS 2030


FAR MORE FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT Throughcompellingmarketingofourstrengths,theMidlandsisthebestplacetoinvestintheUKandtomaximisesustainablereturnoninvestment.

GREATER NUMBERS OF VISITORS TO THE REGION Focusingoninternationalandbusinesstourism,addressingissuesofunder-utilisedcapacityattheregion’sairports,conferencevenuesandhotels.

RISING LEVELS OF EXPORTS Stronglinkstoglobalmarkets,exportingnotonlyproductsbutservicesandknowledge,maintainingglobalcompetitivenessthroughouradoptionofdisruptive,innovativenewprocessesinmanufacturing.

LEADING THE WAY IN ENERGY INNOVATION Asustainableandsecureregionwithlocalcleanenergysystems.Wesuccessfullycapitaliseonenergystorage,demandmanagement,energyservicesandelectrificationoftransport.

A STRONG EVIDENCE BASE OurinvestmentininnovationandcollaborationaroundintelligenceandanalysisofthesectoralimpactsofBrexitmeanwemitigaterisksandcapitaliseonopportunitieswherevertheyarise,empoweredbyanongoingprogrammeofeconomicandtechnologicalforesightwork.

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OUR VISION FOR GROWTH

ToclosetheGVAgapby2030wemustaccelerateproductivityandboostcompetitiveness.Thepartnershiphasdevelopedourvisionfocusedontheareaswherewecanaddvaluetonationalandlocalwork.OurScienceandInnovationAudit(SIA)hasshapedourthinkingandshownwhereinvestmentcanbestreapreward.

Thisisalong-termvision,reflectingboththeGovernment’sMidlandsEngineStrategyandourownambitionfortheMidlandsof2030.

Wehaveidentifiedfivepriorityworkpackages.ThesearetheareaswheretheMidlandsEnginewillgenerateadded-valuethroughcollaborationanddriveproductivitygrowth.

EachofthesefiveworkpackagesisbasedonourknownstrengthsandourpotentialtocontributemoretotheUKeconomy.

Inadditiontothefiveworkpackages,theMidlandsEnginehastwolocalpriorities,skillsanddevolution,whichwillbedeliveredbyMidlandsEnginepartners.

Skillsshortagesareasignificantbarriertoourgrowth.31%ofpeopleofworkingageintheMidlandsEngineareaareeducatedtodegreelevelorhigher,whichissignificantlylowerthanthenationalaverage.TheMidlandsEnginealsohasanabove-averagepercentageofitsworking-agepopulationwithoutanyformalqualifications;10%comparedtoanationalrateof8%.Partnersareworkinghardtoaddresstheseissues,implementinginnovativeinitiativestargetinglocalskillsgapstomeetbusinessneeds.

Wewelcomethe£20millioninvestmentbyGovernmentintheMidlandsSkillsChallenge,whichwillenableustodomoretoimproveskillsintheregion.

Devolutioncanbeanenablerforlocalplacestodeliverbespokesolutionstolocalchallengesandopportunitiestodriveinclusivegrowth.TheWestMidlandsCombinedAuthorityhasagreedadevolutiondealwithGovernmenttoworkinthisway,andwesupporttheminsecuringaseconddevolutiondeal.


CONNECT THE MIDLANDSMaximisenewtechnologiestodeliveraradicaltransformationofMidlandsconnectivity

INVEST IN STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTUREInvestinthemostsustainableandadvancedtechnologytodelivertheinfrastructuretomeetfuturebusinessandresidentneeds

GROW INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENTGrowtradeandinvestmentinnewmarketstocreatejobsinaglobaleconomy

INCREASE INNOVATION AND ENTERPRISE

CreatetheenvironmentwherestrengthsidentifiedinourSIAcanbemaximisedtobenefitthewholeregionandhelpcreatesuccessfulgrowthbusinesses

SHAPE GREAT PLACESPromotetheMidlandsasagreatplacetolive,visit,learnandwork

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1. CONNECT THE MIDLANDS

Weneedtoberegionally,nationallyandgloballyconnectedsothattheMidlandstransportspeopletowork,goodstomarketandallowstheexchangeofideasthatpowertheknowledgeeconomy.

EveryonedoesbusinesswiththeMidlands.OurlocationmeansthatMidlandsbusinesseshaveunrivalledaccesstoUKsuppliersandmarkets,andachoiceofroutestoexportproductstoEurope,AsiaandNorthAmerica.

MidlandsConnectwasformedin2014toresearchanddevelopastrategyforimprovingtransportconnectivityacrosstheMidlandstoboosteconomicgrowth.Wearenowmovingforwardacrossrail,roadandsmartconnectivity,workingcloselywiththeDepartmentforTransport,tomoderniseandupgradeourtransportnetworks.

TheMidlandsiscurrentlyheldbackbypoorconnectivityandisfragmentedintosmall,poorlyconnectedareas.Ittakesmorethan70minutesbydirecttraintotravelbetweenourtwoCoreCities.Thisisunsustainableinamoderneconomy.Weneedhigh-performingtransportnetworkstofullyexploitourlocationaladvantages.WiththerightinvestmentMidlandsConnectwilldeliverthosenetworks.

Governmenthasalreadycommittedtoinvest£5billionoverthecourseofthisParliamentinMidlandstransportinfrastructure.Wearecapitalisingonemergingtechnology;autonomouscarswillsoonbeseenonthestreetsofMidlandscities,withCoventryoneofthehostcitiesinatrialofself-drivingvehiclesandconnectedcartechnologies.

Maximise new technologies to deliver a radical transformation of Midlands connectivity

DelivertheMidlandsConnectTransportStrategyandaccelerateHS2

Securefullfundingforarail,roadandsmartconnectivityinvestmentpackage

BecometheUK’stransportinnovationtestbed

Maximisethepotentialofourtwointernationalairportsincludingthroughboldnewideastoboostcapacity


DELIVER THE MIDLANDS CONNECT TRANSPORT STRATEGY AND ACCELERATE HS2 We are seeking Government prioritisation of, and commitment to the delivery of, the whole of the Midlands Connect Strategy and we urge Government to bring forward the completion date of HS2 Phase 2 to 2030.

AsthefirstregiontobenefitfromHS2,theMidlandsConnectPartnershipisseizingthisonceinalifetimeopportunitytodriveUKgrowth,andwearefullysupportiveofSirDavidHiggins’report,HS2Plus,whichproposedthatHS2Phase2beaccelerated.

DeliveringtheMidlandsConnectStrategyiscrucialtotransformingtheMidlandsintoawell-connectedregion.InvestmentanddeliverymustkeeppacewiththedevelopmentofourprogrammeanddeliveronadditionalinitiativesinlinewithGovernment’sTransportInvestmentStrategy.

Ourtransportstrategywillboosttheeconomybyupto£5billionperyearby2040,creatingatotalof300,000newjobs.WetakeaboldnewapproachtoconnectivitythatwillreducecongestionandimprovejourneytimesacrosstheMidlandsthroughajoined-upapproachtoinfrastructureimprovementandinvestment.Itsetsoutatwenty-five-yeartransportinvestmentprogrammeandidentifiesapackageofearlyprioritiesrequiringdeliveryinthenextdecade.

BoldideasincludedevelopingtheA46asacross-regioncorridorrunningsouth-westtonorth-eastacrosstheMidlands.Thisisakeystrategicprioritybecauseofthescaleofthepotentialeconomic,tradeandhousinggrowthitcanstimulate.Itisamajordevelopment,withthepotentialtolinktheSouthWestandSouthWalesandtheportsofBristolandImmingham,withthelogisticsgoldentriangleattheheartoftheMidlands,andonwardstotheNorthEast.

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OTHER PROJECTS Midlands Rail

Weareseeking£40millionfundingtofurthersupportourRailProgrammetohelpensurethattheregionhaswellprogressedplansinplacetocopewithgrowthandtakeadvantageofeconomicbenefits.Thiswillbuildonthe£5millionannouncedintheAutumnStatementof2016,whenGovernmentsupportedustodevelopourrailambitions.ItwillincludedevelopingPhase2oftheMidlandsRailHub,boththeeast-westandCoventry-Leamingtoncorridors,andestablishinganewRailInnovationGroup.

ElectrificationoftheMidlandMainLineisseenbyresidentsandbusinessesasimportantinreducingjourneytimesandensuringHS2compatibility.Therecentannouncementnottoproceedwiththeelectrificationwasmetwithconcern.TheobjectiveofimprovingjourneytimesandachievingHS2compatibilitymuststillbemet.Withthatinmind,andbecausewewanttobetheUK’stransportinnovationtestbed,thenewRailInnovationGroupweproposetoestablishwilldevelopideastodeliverahigh-specificationrailservicefortheMidlands,onewhichcouldbematchedacrosstheUK.

Midlands Road

Weareseeking£15milliontomoveforwardwithourMidlandsMajorRoadNetworkandMidlandsMotorwayHubinitiatives.MidlandsConnectiscurrentlyundertakingworkaimedatdefiningthepurposeandcharacteristicsofapotentialMajorRoadNetworkfortheMidlandsandhascommissioned,jointlywithHighwaysEngland,theMidlandsMotorwayHubStudytoidentifyhowcapacityconstraintsarerestrainingtheeconomyoftheMidlandsandtheUK.


Smart Connectivity

Weareseeking£24milliontotakeforwardsmartticketingprogrammes,includingcapitalexpendituretoinstallplatformvalidatorswhereneededatrailwaystationsacrosstheMidlands.WesupportthenationalSmartonRailprogrammeandbelievethattheMidlandscandevelopthemostefficientwaytodeliverandintegrateregionalandnationalprogrammes.

Become the UK’s transport innovation testbed

WewanttheMidlandstobethetestbedforfuturetransportinnovationandarekeentoworkwithGovernmentanduniversitiestodeveloppilotsandhelptakeideasfromconcepttodelivery.Thisincludesusingtechnologytoreducetheneedtotravel,connectedautonomousvehiclesandNetworkRail’sdigitalrailwayambitions.

MidlandsConnectwillplayitsroleinencouragingamarketforinnovationandsmartconnectivity,forexampleasanoperatingenvironmentforconnectedandautonomousvehicles,wheretheregionhasaninputintotheconditionsrequiredtoimplementtheseinitiativesincludinginfrastructure,regulation,operatingmodelsandinsurancerisks.

ByleadinggrowthintechnologyfromtheMidlands,includingdriverlesscarsorpilotingplatooningoffreightvehicles,theUKcanbecomeaglobalcentreofexcellencefortheapplicationofthesetechnologiesinasustainableenvironmentwheredefinedstandardsandlegalandregulatoryboundariescanbeestablished.Thiswillenablemanufacturerstoproduceglobally-acceptedproducts,drivingacceleratedmarketdemandandeconomicgrowth.Inaddition,thiswillhelptoachieveourtransportoutcomes.

Maximise the potential of our airports

TheMidlandsishometotwointernationalairports.TheyarekeyassetsfortheMidlandsandwewanttomaximisetheirpotentialasglobalgatewaysforbothpassengersandfreight.AspartoftheemergingUKAviationStrategy,wewillidentifywaystobettersupporttheirgrowth,anddevelopboldoptionstoincreasecapacityandmaximiseconnectivitytoourairportsfromacrosstheregion.Thiswillstimulatecompetitiontoensureourpeople,businessesandcustomershaveawidechoiceofairports,airlinesanddestinations.

ThiscouldincludedirectlinkstoourHS2stationsortheuseofinnovativenewtechnologysuchasahyper-loopbetweentheairports.

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2. INVEST IN STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE

WewillaccompanyourcomprehensivestrategytodelivertheUK’sbesttransportsystemwithaseriesofinnovativeprogrammestodelivertheenergy,digitalandlogisticsinfrastructurethattheregion’sbusinessesrequire.Wewillalsobenefitfromnewnationalinfrastructureprojects,wheretheMidlandswillbeattheheartofHS2.

WearealreadybuildingonMidlandsstrengthsinresearchanddevelopment,andthepresenceofleadingenergytechnologyandengineeringfirmstosupportGovernmentinshapingfutureenergypolicyanddelivery.WearehometotheEnergyResearchAccelerator(ERA)andtheEnergySystemsCatapultwhilstRolls-RoyceisleadingaUKconsortiumlookingatthepotentialapplicationofnuclearenergyfromSmallModularReactors.

Invest in the most sustainable and advanced technology to deliver the infrastructure to meet future business and resident needs

Investinourlong-termenergysecurity

Createa5Gdigitaltestbed

Increaseourlogisticsandfreightcapabilities

UseHS2asacatalystforgrowth,helpingdelivertheEastMidlandsHS2GrowthStrategy,theCurzonMasterplanandUKCentralHub

TheEnergyResearchAcceleratorisacollaborationofsixMidlandsInnovationuniversitiesplustheBritishGeologicalSurvey.TheseinstitutionsareworkingwithindustrialpartnersrangingfromJaguarLandRoverandSchlumberger,throughtosmallandmediumsizedenterprisessuchasDearman,Blueprintandmanyothers.TheERA’slarge-scaledemonstrationprojectstakeplaceacrosstheMidlandsandprovidepracticalandappliedsolutionsinareassuchasenergyforhomesandcommunities,energystorage,energygenerationanddistribution,andcarbonabatement.


INVEST IN LONG-TERM ENERGY SECURITYWewillbringtogetherourresearchandindustryexpertisetocreatethemostadvancedUKregionfortesting,demonstratingandcommercialisingnewenergyinnovationsandbecomethebestplaceforbusinessesandresidentstoaccessaffordableandsustainableenergy.Ourdiverseurbanandrurallandscapeprovidesopportunitiestotestanddeploytechnologies,atscale,acrossdifferentenvironments.

ThroughcollaborationssuchasEnergyCapitalweseektoachieveboldambitionsincludingeradicatingfuelpovertyacrosstheMidlands.WesupportGovernment’sambitionfortheUKtohavethelowestenergycostsinEurope.WewillalsosupportGovernment’sfutureenergypolicybycreatingthelargesttestbedandcommercialmarketforinnovativeenergytechnologyintheUK.

Inmanycasesthebusinessobjectivesofonepartyintheenergysectorcannotbesatisfiedwithoutthedata,leversofcontrolandcustomerrelationshipsheldbyotherparties.Theconsequencesareunnecessarilyhighcostsfordomestic,industrialandcommercialconsumersandveryhighbarrierstosecuringsustainableenergysupplies.Thisispartlyaproductofregulationandpartlyaproductoftheenergysectorbeingbehindothersectorsinexploitingadvancedinformationinfrastructures.

Marketefficiencycandriveupconsumersatisfactionanddrivedowncost.Buttheprivatesectoralonecannotunlockthis.Therearefundamentalmarketfailurestoovercome.Newindustrialenergydemonstratorsfocusedonlowcost,cleanenergycanstimulatenewmarketsforenergysupply.

WehaveidentifiedapipelineofprojectsforinvestmentwhichwillseetheMidlandsdevelopingpre-commercialstageinnovationcapabilitiesandstimulateearly-stagetechnologyinnovation,buildingonourstrengthsinbatterytechnologies,housingandconstruction.

WeareaskingGovernmenttosupportthecreationandexpansionofenergydemonstratorsacrosstheMidlands,supportedbyprogrammessuchastheEnergyResearchAcceleratorandpartnershipssuchasEnergyCapital,andthedevelopmentofEnergyInnovationZonestogobeyonddemonstration,tomarket-makingandlarge-scalecommercialisationofintegratedenergysystems,insupportofUKIndustrialStrategy.

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OTHER PROJECTSNext steps to develop the 5G digital testbed

WewanttobeattheforefrontofdigitalinnovationandareworkingacrosstheMidlandstodevelopadetailedandcostedpropositiontomaketheMidlandstheUKtestbedfor5Gandfullfibrenetworks.WearekeentoworkwithGovernmentonthisassetoutintheMidlandsEngineStrategy.WewillfocusonasmallnumberofkeychallengeswhereMidlandsEnginepartnershaveexistingstrengthsandexpertise.Ourambitionistodeliverthetechnologicalinfrastructurethatwillattractandsupportbusinessesandresidents,andtoaddressissuessuchascongestedtransportnetworks,energysystemsundercapacitystrain,andelderlyandisolatedvulnerablepeoplewhoneedsupport.

Asafirststep,wearedefiningatestbedareawheretechnologyisalreadyinplaceorcouldbereadilyassembledtoenabledeploymentofatestarchitecturecapableofcopingwiththemostdemandingofapplications.Weareassemblingagroupofstakeholderswhichincludestechnologyandconnectivitysuppliers,researchbodies,LocalAuthoritiesandothermajorserviceproviderstotakethisforward.

Increase our logistics and freight capabilities

WewouldlikeGovernmentcommitmenttooneormoreoftheHeathrowLogisticsHubsbeinglocatedintheMidlands,maximisingthepresenceofnationallogisticsoperatorsintheregion.ThetransportationandstoragesectorintheMidlandsemploys228,000peopleinover21,000businesses.Wewillcontinuetoexplorehowtoincreaseemploymentandbusinessopportunitiesinlogisticsandfreight,maximisingtheexportandimportcapabilitiesofthePortofImmingham,BirminghamAirportandEastMidlandsAirportastheUK’spremierfreighthubs.TheyhavegreatpotentialtosupporteconomyrebalancingeffortsandtorelievecongestionatHeathrow.

Use HS2 as a catalyst for growth

WewillworktosupportplacestoturntheirambitiousHS2GrowthPlansintoaction.HS2cantransformtheMidlands.ThisismostimpactfulwhenweseeHS2aspartofwiderregenerationplansandaregionaltransportnetwork.WewilllooktolinkthedevelopmentareasacrossthefourstationsservingtheMidlandsandsecureopportunitiesforallourresidentsandbusiness.

• The East Midlands HS2 Growth StrategyplanstouseHS2intheEastMidlandstocreateanextra74,000jobsandgenerateanadditional£4billionofGVAby2042.Thedevelopmenthasthepotentialtobetrulytransformational,catalysinggrowthacrossandbeyondtheEastMidlands

• The Curzon MasterplanforBirminghamcitycentrewillcatalyseregenerationwithanewrailterminusintheheartofthecity.Itisanticipatedtogeneratea£1.5billioneconomicuplift,create36,000newjobsand4,000newhomes

• The UK Central HubinSolihullisauniqueconcentrationofglobalbusinessesandstrategiceconomicassetswithawiderangeofdevelopmentopportunities,includingtheHS2InterchangeStation,the140hectareArdenCrossdevelopmentsite,BirminghamAirport,theNationalExhibitionCentreandJaguarLandRover.Thewholedevelopmentwillcreatearound3,500homes,supportanestimated100,000jobsregion-wideandcontribute£5billiontoregionalGDP

InadditiontothethreemainHS2hubswithintheMidlandsEngine,thereisamajoropportunitytoalignthesewithHS2atCrewe.TheConstellationPartnershiptherehasambitiousplanstodelivernewhomesandjobsgrowth.

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3. GROW INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT

In2017,weundertookourfirstcollectivepromotionoftheMidlandsatMIPIM,aninternationalpropertyeventinCannes,France.WedevelopedanInvestmentPortfoliofortheMidlandsandshowcasedthebreadthandscaleoftheinvestmentopportunitiesavailablehere.

Thiswasasuccessfulfirststep.WewillbuildonthisandtaketheMidlandsEnginetomultipleglobalinvestmenteventsin2018,includingMIPIMAsia.WewillworkwithprivatesectorpartnersandtheDepartmentforInternationalTrade(DIT)toshowcasetheMidlandsEngineInvestmentPortfolioattheseevents.

Weareworkingtogethertoincreaseforeigndirectinvestment(FDI),boostourinternationalpresenceanddevelopacombinedofferatthescalewhichisattractivetomajorinvestors.

TheMidlandsEngineInvestmentHub,basedinBirmingham,isnowsuccessfullydrivinginwardinvestmentinkeysectorsandsupportingregenerationprojectsacrosstheregion.

WorkingwithDIT,inadditiontoourMIPIMexhibitionpresence,wehaveundertakentrademissionsandaredevelopingouremergingChinaStrategyandourLifeSciencescapabilitybrochure.

WeareforgingnewrelationshipsbasedonourSIAidentifiedstrengths,suchastheMemorandumofUnderstandingdesignedtostrengthenthecollaboration,particularlyinthecybersector,betweentheMidlandsandMarylandintheUSA.

Wewanttoworkwiththeregion’sbusinessesandinternationalpartnerstoraiseawarenessoftheMidlandsEngineanddevelopnewareasforcollaborationtosecuremaximumbenefit.WehaveanambitiontobethetradeengineoftheUKeconomy,activelyengagedintheUSA,Commonwealthandotheropportunitymarkets.WithdirectconnectionsandinteractionswithChinawecanbecomeTheEndoftheSilkRoad.

Grow trade and investment in new markets to create jobs in a global economy

ExpandtheMidlandsEngineTradeandInvestmentProgramme

ExplorethepotentialforanInternationalFreeTradeZone

CreatearegionalsubventionfundtoattractlargeeventsandconferencesrelatedtoourstrengthsidentifiedbyourScienceandInnovationAudit


EXPAND THE MIDLANDS TRADE AND INVESTMENT PROGRAMME A threefold increase in investment by Government in the Midlands Engine trade and investment programme will allow us to deliver increased international trade and investment activity post-Brexit.

Wewillincreasethescopeofthecurrentprogramme,includingtheimplementationoftargetmarketinterventions,andrepeatthesuccessofMIPIM2017inothermarketsoverthenextfewyears.

WewanttobroadenourunderstandingofspecificgeographicalareasandsectorstofocusMidlandsEnginetradeandinvestmenteffortsintargetmarkets,basedonmaximisingtractionfromcurrentgeographicallinksandexistingandemergingsectorstrengths.

Inaddition,wewilldevelopnewfunctionswhichcanbenefittheregionandprepareforthepost-Brexitlandscape.WeseekfreedomtousetheMidlandsEnginebrandinginallmarkets.

We will use this additional funding to deliver four functions:

1. Introduceanewapproachtolargebusinessaccountmanagement

2. CreateaworldclassinwardinvestmentfunctionwitharefreshedInvestmentPortfolio

3. IncreaseinternationalpromotionforFDI,tradeandexportingthroughanincreasedprogrammeofoutreachactivity,bothphysicalandvirtual

4. ExplorethepotentialbenefitsofaMidlandsSoftLandingZoneforthepost-BrexitMidlands

OTHER PROJECTSPrepare for the post-Brexit trade opportunities; an International Free Trade Zone feasibility study

WorkingcloselywithGovernmentwewouldliketomaximiseinternationaltradeandmanufacturingexportspost-Brexit.ThiswouldincludeinvestigatingthepotentialforaMidlandspilotofanInternationalFreeTradeZone(FTZ)thatcouldoperateatregionlevelperhapsclosetoanexistingfreighthub.ThefirststepisafeasibilitystudyonthepotentialofFTZsintheUK.TheyappearanattractivepropositionfortheMidlandsgiventheirpotentialtofacilitateandincreasecross-bordertradebyremovingobstaclesimposedbycustomsregulations,buttheopportunitiesandrisksofthisapproacharecurrentlyuntestedintheUK.

A new regional subvention fund to attract international conferences and events related to Science & Innovation Audit strengths

Weareaskingfora£40millionsubventionfund,overtwoyears,toattractmajoreventsthatmeetcriteriarelatedtotheMidlandsEngineSIA.ThiswillbuildthecapabilityoftheMidlandstobeaworldplayerinstrengthsectors,tocreatecapacityandtoprepareamedium-termprojecttobidfortheWorldExpo.

IndividualplacesintheMidlandshavepoweredthebusinesseventeconomysincetheopeningoftheNationalExhibitionCentre,buildingonacentral,easilyaccessiblelocationtodevelopeventsupportinfrastructure,includinghotelsandconventionbureauoperations.Wewanttoenhancethis,forinstanceassessingthecapacitywehavetoattractmoremajorconferencesandthepotentialtocreatenewfacilities.

InvestmentisrequiredtodevelopaMidlandsEngineprogrammemanagedbyaco-ordinatedconferencingandbusinessvisitorhubofstrategicvaluetotheregion,resourcedthroughaMidlandsConferencingdesk.ThisinvestmentwouldleadtoimprovedInternationalCongressandConventionAssociationrankings,attractingmoreeventsandinternationalbusinessvisits,andanabilitytotargeteventsthatsupporttheprioritiesforMidlandsEngineFDI.

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4. INCREASE INNOVATION AND ENTERPRISE

WearecommittedtoensuringthatourbusinessesanduniversitiesareatthecentreofIndustrialStrategythinkingandimplementation.WeextendtoGovernmenttheofferfortheMidlandstodeveloparegionaldimensionforimplementingthenationalIndustrialStrategy.WhatwedoastheMidlandsmatters,butsotoodoesourinvolvementinnationalwork.Wearehometomanynationalcentres,suchasCatapults,andourworld-classcompaniesleadkeynationalprogrammesandpilots.

WemustsupportandengageMidlandsbusinessestostriveforexcellenceandsuccessthatwillultimatelydeliverourgoalofgreaterprosperityforall.Weareknownforourmanufacturingandengineeringstrengths,butweneedmoreofourfirms,includingSMEs,toseeinnovationasapartoftheircorebusiness.DevelopingtheroleofGrowthHubsisimportanttostrengthenthebusinesssupportoffer,usinginnovationtoboostgrowthandproductivity.

Buildingonouruniqueassetsandhistoricstrengthswewillraiseproductivity.TheSIAidentifiesthecompetenciesandcapabilitieswhicharenecessaryinagloballycompetitivemarket.TheenablingcompetenciesofAdvancedManufacturingandEngineering,DigitalTechnologiesandData,andSystemsIntegrationunderpinandsupportmuchoftheinnovativebusinessactivityacrossourregion.Thecoverageofthesecompetenciesisnotuniquetous,butwehaveacriticalmassofassetsandexpertiseintheseareas.Assetoutearlier,wewouldlikeGovernmenttosupportthecreationandexpansionofdemonstratorassets,suchasERA,EnergyCapitalanddevelopmentofEnergyInnovationZones.WeviewtheSIAasalivingdocumentwhichwewillregularlyupdate,ensuringitreflectsnewandemergingthinkingandstrengths.

Create the environment where strengths identified in the Science and Innovation Audit can be maximised to benefit the whole region, helping to create successful growth businesses

DeveloptheSIAInvestmentProgrammeincluding:TransportInnovation,FutureFoodProcessing,MedicalTechnologiesInnovationandCrossIndustryTechnologyExploitationinClusters

CreatetheMidlandsManagementandLeadershipInstitute

SecureNationalInitiatives,SectorDealsandIndustrialStrategyChallengeFundinvestments

ProgressUKsupplychaininitiatives


Across the broad innovation landscape, the SIA also identified four Market-Driven Priorities:

1. NextGenerationTransport:coveringaerospaceandspace,automotive,motorsportandrailsectors,advancedmaterialsandprocesses,anddigitalmanufacturing,supplychainandservicemanagement

2. MedicalTechnologiesandPharmaceuticals:coveringmedicaldevices,diagnostics(includingin-vitrodiagnosticsanddiagnosticimaging),softwareasamedicaldevice,andpharmaceuticals

3. FutureFoodProcessing:coveringtheareasoffoodprocessingefficiency,deliveringazero-wastefoodchain,andfoodproductinnovationinthefoodanddrinksector

4. EnergyandLowCarbon:coveringgeo-energy,thermalenergysystems,nuclear,energystorageandsmartintegratedenergysystems

DEVELOP THE SCIENCE & INNOVATION AUDIT INVESTMENT PROGRAMMEWe are asking Government to work with us to secure the funding necessary to support delivery of the opportunities identified in the SIA through an integrated innovation pipeline. In the first two years this will require £169 million, which we will match-fund from Midlands Engine partners.

SincelaunchingtheSIAwehaveidentifiedawiderangeofinnovationprojectswhich,takentogether,willensureweareworldleadersinourSIAprioritiesandresultinimprovedproductivity,deliveringatscale,withlargecompanysupport.Alltheproposedprojectswillbe100%matchfundedbyMidlandspartners.

Wearealerttoindividualfundingopportunitiesastheyarise,butwewanttodeliverswiftlyinthenextfewcriticalyears.ThiscanonlyhappenthroughaconcertedMidlandsEngineandGovernmenteffortworkingwithInnovateUKandotherstoagreeapackageofinvestments.

Wehavedevelopedastrongpipelineofinnovationprojects,whichwewanttodiscusswithGovernment.ImplementingthispipelinewillexploitMidlands-specificstrengths,positiontheregionasastrongtechnologyleader,protectandgrowcurrentmarkets,anddiversifymanufacturingsupplychains.

Theprojectsincludedinthepipelinearecollaborative,involvinganumberofMidlandspartners.Eachprojectaddressesabusinessormarketneed,andhasstrongevidenceofindustryorpublic-sectorpartnerco-creationorparticipation.

The initial investment of £169 million will support delivery of the first stages of the innovation pipeline as outlined here.

1. The Transport Innovation Accelerator WewillbuildonsignificantinnovationstrengthsoftheMidlandstocreateaglobally-competitiveinnovationinfrastructure,delivertechnologysolutionsandstrongsupplychains

2. Medical Technologies Innovation Accelerator Wewillharnesstheuniqueindustrialbase,patientpopulationandacademic-NHSpartnershipsintheMidlandstocreatetheUK’sleadingexcellenceclusterforthedevelopmentofMedicalTechnologies

3. Future Food Processing Accelerator Wewillbuildonexistingregionalstrengthsinfoodanddrinkmanufacturing,deepeningkeycapabilities,creatingnewopportunitiesforgrowthandbuildingthefuturetalentpipeline

4. Cross Industry Technology Exploitation in Clusters Wewillfollowasmall-company-innovationmodeldevelopedandtestedbyourMidlandsbusinessclusters,tostimulatesmallcompaniestoexploithorizontaltechnologytransferbetweenindustries

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OTHER PROJECTS Midlands Management and Leadership Institute

OurresponsetooneoftheissuessetoutintheGovernment’sIndustrialStrategyGreenPaperistodeliveraMidlands-wideresponsetomanagementandleadershipchallengesinenterprise.

WewillfocusonoursmallandmediumsizedbusinessestoexplorehowwecancreateaMidlandsMittelstandmodel.Thisisthetypeofhighlyproductiveandtechnology-drivenSMEeconomyseenmostofteninGermany.Mittelstandbusinessesprioritiseworkforceskillsdevelopmentandapprenticeships.

Weknowthatmanyofouruniversitiesandtrainingprovidersalreadydeliverhigh-qualityprovisioninthisspace,withmanyaccreditedtotheGovernment’sSmallBusinessCharter.Weplantomapthisfurther,tolookatgoodpracticeandtoestablishanygapsinprovision.WewillthendesignanewtrainingmodeltoeffectrealchangeinthewaySMEswithscale-uppotentialareled,managedandgrown.

Secure National Initiatives, Sector Deals and Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund

AspartoftheIndustrialStrategyconsultation,Governmentannounceditsoffertostrikenewsectordeals.AproposalforaCeramicsDeal,focusedaroundNorthStaffordshire,hasalreadybeensubmitted.Welookforwardtoseeingthisprogress,aswellasworkingwithGovernmenttoagreenewsectordealstodelivertheIndustrialStrategy.WewillalsoprepareproposalsbasedonourstrengthstobidfortheIndustrialStrategyChallengeFund.

TheMidlandsleadingroleinsectorprioritiesisdemonstratedbykeystrategiccommitmentsfromGovernment.ThisincludesinvestmentinNottinghamforenergyandlowcarbon,andforautomotivetheestablishmentoftheAdvancedPropulsionCentre.

InLeicester,wearealigningourplace-basedinvestmentswithexistingspacesectordealprioritiestogrowUKcapabilitybasedonMidlandsSIAstrengths.

Variousnationalprogrammescomplementandsynergisewithourintegratedinnovationpipeline,suchastheinnovationelementoftheconstructionsectordeal,andtheSpaceParkproject.Weseekfundingtodevelopprojectsintheseareas,andwouldliketotalkfurtherwithGovernment.Forexample,theInfrastructureIndustryInnovationPlatformisworkingwiththeManufacturingTechnologyCentreandTheUKCollaboratoriumforResearchonInfrastructureandCities,supportingthenationalprogramme,todevelopatechnologyroadmapforthewholeinfrastructuresector.WearealsoinvolvedintheLow-CostAccesstoSpaceDrivingDataServicesinitiativeatLeicesterSpacePark,whichwillbringhighvolumeproductionofsatellitespacecrafttotheUKandwilllocatetheMidlandsasaglobalcentreforcommercialexploitationofspace-enableddata.Midlandsstrengthsinadvancedmanufacturingandspaceengineeringmakeustherightplacetodeliverthisinitiative,developedbyaconsortiumofuniversities,industryandLEPs.

Progress UK supply chain support

WesupporttheNationalManufacturingCompetitivenessLevelsframework.TheMidlandsEnginehasalottoofferinboththeformulationanddeliveryofprogrammesdesignedtobettersupportsupplychaincompaniesontheircompetitivenessandgrowthjourneys.Weareactivelyengagingwiththenationalgroupsleadingthesediscussionsinaerospace,space,automotive,railandotherkeymanufacturingsectorstocontributetothedevelopmentofproposals.Inparallel,wewillestablishanenvironmentintheMidlandsthatissupportiveofimplementationofnationalprogrammesorframeworkswithregionaldelivery.

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5. SHAPE GREAT PLACES

Thecities,townsandlandscapesoftheMidlandsboastuniqueidentitiesdottedwithremindersoftheregion’srichheritage.Wewanttopromoteourregioninanewwaythatisvaluableandmeaningfulforlocalpeopleandvisitors,attractingmorebusinesses,investmentandtouriststotheregion.WewillbuildonexamplessuchasexistingworkbetweenpartnersandVisitBritainandVisitEnglandtodevelopMidlands-widepropositionstoattractmorevisitorsfromtargetmarketsandtocreateitinerarieswhichshowcasethebestofourregion.

WehavewelcomedpublicandprivatesectordecisionstorelocateandexpandintheMidlands;decisionsbyfirmssuchasHSBC,IBMandSiemens.Wewanttobuildonthis,rebalancingtheUKeconomythroughtheclusteringofconnectedorganisations,includingprivatesectorbusinesses,andtherelocationsbeingorchestratedbytheCabinetOfficethroughtheOnePublicEstateprogramme.

Ourpartnersareworkingtoensurewehavehousingsupplytomeetfuturedemand.Acommitmenttoenhancingthequalityoflifeofthosewholive,learnandworkintheMidlandsisdrivingourambitiontocreategreatplaceswithquality,welldesignedhousing.

TheWestMidlandsCombinedAuthority,citiessuchasStoke-on-Trent,Derby,NottinghamandLeicesterandotherdesignatedgrowthareasallhavetrackrecordsofusinginnovativedeliveryvehiclestotacklethechallengesofredevelopingtheirbrownfieldsites,whichoftenhavesignificantcontamination,andofdeliveringhousinggrowthinslowermarkets.

Wearecontinuingtheambitiousregenerationofourcityandtowncentres,includingthere-purposingofsomeofourformerindustrialareasthroughmajorprogrammessuchasthe25,000homeBlackCountryGardenCity,aswellasthecreationofnewplacessuchastheGardenVillagesplannedatLongMarstoninStratford-on-Avon,SpitalgateHeathinSouthLincolnshireandInfinityGardenVillageinSouthDerbyshire.

NewapproachesacrosstheMidlandsarebringingforwardhousingsites.Successfuljointventureswithpublic-privatepartnerssharingriskhaveunlockedhomesonbrownfieldsites,formercoalfieldsandformerNHShospitalsites.Partnershipswithmajordeveloper-investorssuchasHarworthEstatesandUrbanandCivicareunlockingkeysitesatscaleingrowthareas,includingRugbyRadioStationandlandsouthofNewark.LocalAuthorityHousingCompaniesarenowdeliveringprogrammesofhomesformarketandaffordableproducts,forexampletheBirminghamMetropolitanHousingTrust,NottinghamCityHomes,Wolverhampton’sWVLivingandinStoke-on-Trent.Anumberofotherauthoritieshaverecentlysetupcompaniesandhaveagreedinvestmentanddeliveryprogrammes.

Promote the Midlands as a great place to live, visit, learn and work

Hostthe2022CommonwealthGamesandaGREATExhibitionoftheCommonwealth

Securestrategicsectoralrelocations:Channel4andTheDefenceandNationalRehabilitationCentre

SupportourEuropeanCapitalofCultureandUKCityofCulturebids

Unlockhousinggrowth,enablingthebuildingofatleast600,000newhomeswithin15years

WorkwithVisitEnglandandVisitBritaintocreateandimplementtacticalvisitoranddestinationmarketingcampaigns


HOST THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES IN 2022 AND A GREAT EXHIBITION OF THE COMMONWEALTHThe Midlands Engine strongly supports Birmingham’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games which will have transformational benefits for the whole of the Midlands.

TheGamespresentanunprecedentedopportunitytoengageouryounganddiversepopulationinwelcomingtheCommonwealthtoBirmingham,theMidlandsandtheUKwithpride,creatingalegacyofcommunitycohesion,improvedhealthandwell-being,andenhancedambition.ItwillenableustoshowcasetheUK’ssecondcityandwiderassetsoftheMidlands,andtousetheGamestoaccelerateinvestmentandgrowth,generatingsignificanteconomicbenefit.

BeyondtheopportunitytosupportBirmingham’sbid,wewouldliketohostaGREATExhibitionoftheCommonwealthin2022tocelebratetheCommonwealth’seconomyandattractnewtradingandinvestmentpartners.Wewillexplorethepotentialfornewfacilitiestohostthis.Intherunupto2022,wewillhosttworegionaleventstoshowcaseMidlandsculturalandtouristattractionsandincreaseeconomictieswithotherCommonwealthcountries,linkedtoourincreasedtradeandinvestmentactivityandinnovationstrengths.

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OTHER PROJECTSSecure strategic sectoral relocations and developments

WearechampioningbringingChannel4totheMidlands.Analysisbypartnersshowsthatrelocationcouldgenerate£2.3billionbetween2021-2030,andanother£2.7billionindirectly.Webelieveourcentralgeography,qualityoflifeandpropertyoffermakesusthestrategiclocationofchoice.

WewanttoopenaconversationwithGovernmentaboutarms-lengthbodiesrelocatingtotheMidlandstoo.

Weseeka£50millioncapitalinvestmentintherelocationanddevelopmentoftheDefenceandNationalRehabilitationCentreasitmovestotheStanfordHallEstate.Locallyweareinvestinginthedetailedbusinesscaseandsecuringplanningconsent.Significantcapitalfundingwillberequiredtoaccelerateadoptioninciviliancareofinnovativemedicaltechnologyemergingfromdefencemedicine.

Develop a combined destination offer

WewanttoworkwithVisitBritainandVisitEnglandtodeveloptacticalmarketingcampaigns,increasingbothoverseasanddomesticvisitors.ThiswilldevelopacombinedMidlandstourismoffer,startingwiththeinternationalMayflower400celebrationin2020thatwillmarkthe400thanniversaryofthecrossingoftheMayflowerPilgrimstotheNewWorld.

ThetourismandculturalassetsoftheMidlandsactasapowerfulmagnet,combiningeasyaccesstoEngland’ssecondlargestcity,ruraladventureandrichculturalitineraries,allunderpinnedbytrueEnglishheritage.Thesectorcontributes£8.7billionandrisingtotheMidlandseconomy.

Wewilldrivethisgrowth,utilisingtheskillsandexpertiseintheregion’sexistingnetworkofDestinationManagementOrganisations,collectivelypromotingthemanyvisitoreconomytourismassets.Wewillalsoexplorethepotentialforavisitoreconomysharedapprenticeshiptoaddresssector-identifiedskillsshortages.


Support our cities to become UK City of Culture 2021 and European Capital of Culture 2023

TheMidlandsEnginebackstheambitiousbidsfromourcitiestoshowcasecultureandheritage,attractinginvestmentandgrowth.BothCoventryandStoke-on-Trenthavemadetheshortlistforthe2021UKCityofCultureandNottinghamisvyingtobeEuropeanCapitalofCulturein2023.WinningtheseeventsfortheregionwillenabletheMidlandstousecultureasacatalystforeconomicandsocialregeneration,andraisetheprofileofourarts,cultureandcreativeeconomyacrossthecountryandcontinent.Wewillenhanceourcreativesectors,attractincreasedbusinessinvestmentandboosttourism.

Unlock housing growth, with at least 600,000 new homes over 15 years

OurpartnerswillworkinnovativelywithHomesEnglandandotherstoestablishlocalsupportpackageswhichco-ordinateandpoolpublicsectorinvestmentandotherinterventionstounlockkeystrategichousingsites.MidlandspartnersarepreparingproposalsfortheHousingInfrastructureFund,whichtheMidlandsEnginesupports,tounlockandacceleratehousinggrowthatscale.

ThereisapressingneedtoboostthesupplyofnewhomesintheMidlandstoattractandretaindynamic,skilledandflexibleworkerswhocandriveproductivityandgrowthandsocontributetothecreationofsuccessfulplaces.Werecognisetheimperativetorationalisethesupplyofemploymentlandsothatwecreateopportunitiestogrowemployment,whilstfreeingupsurpluslandforresidentialdevelopment.LocalPlanssetoutwherethemajorgrowthwillbedeliveredandtheinfrastructurenecessarytounlockthesesites.Alliedtothis,wearepreparingforamulti-billionpoundinfrastructureinvestmentinHS2,includingthreenewstationsatBirminghamCurzonStreet,UKCentralandEastMidlandsHub,andrelatedinvestmentintheConstellationgrowthareaaroundStoke-on-Trent.Thiswillbeaonce-in-agenerationstimulustoeconomicandhousinggrowthintheMidlands.

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CHAMPION LOCAL PRIORITIES: SKILLS AND DEVOLUTION STRENGTHEN SKILLS StrengtheningskillsisoneoftheprioritiesoftheGovernment’sMidlandsEngineStrategy.Themismatchbetweenbusinessskillneedsandresidentskilllevelsisabigproductivitychallenge.ThismessagehasbeendeliveredrepeatedlybymajoremployergroupssuchasCBI,FSBandIoD,whosemembersallciteskillsasamajorbarriertoeconomicgrowth.

AcrosstheMidlands,placesareundertakingactivitytoaddressskillsissuesateverylevelofthelabourmarket,includingimplementationoftheactivityoutlinedintheGovernment’sstrategy.Wechampionthelocaldeliveryofskillsandemployabilityprogrammes,andwelcomethe£20millioninvestmentintheflagshipMidlandsSkillsChallenge.WealsolookforwardtofurtherworkacrosstheMidlandswiththeDepartmentforEducationtocreateanetworkofInstitutesofTechnology.

Thereisnoone-size-fits-allsolutiontotheskillschallenge.ThisiswhyindividualareashavebeenundertakingAreaBasedReviews,andwhyskillsfeatureshighlyinMidlandsLEPStrategicEconomicPlansandintheWestMidlandsCombinedAuthoritydevolutiondealnegotiations.


Across the Midlands we are undertaking a wide range of activity to raise skill levels including:

• The£20millionMidlandsSkillsChallenge

• Acommitmenttodeliver750,000apprenticeships

• TheNationalCollegeforHighSpeedRail,openinginSeptember2017,withahubinBirmingham

• PilotingofDepartmentforEducationidentifiedOpportunityAreasinDerbyandStoke-on-Trenttoaddresseducationaloutcomesandsocialmobility

• TheongoingProductivityandSkillsCommissionlinkedtotheWestMidlandsdevolutiondeal

• LEPssuchasD2N2developingSkillsandEmployabilityPortals

• InvestmentinMidlandsschoolinfrastructurethroughthePrioritySchoolBuildingProgramme

• Scopingadigitalskillsstrategy,alignedwiththe5Gtestbed

• Businessparticipationindevelopingthenewapprenticeshipstandards

• Strongcollaborationacrossouruniversities,includingthroughtheMidlandsEnterpriseandMidlandsInnovationpartnerships,toimprovehigherlevelskills

Ourunderstandingofbusinessneed,bothforskillsreplacementandfuturedemand,isincomplete.WewillcreatenewCollaborativeSkillsNetworkstosharebestpractice,worktogetheronskillsandlistentotheneedsofbusinesses.Thesewillbringtogetherindustryrepresentativesandstakeholderstoinfluencethefuturedeliveryofskillsintheregion.Thesenetworkswillassesstheskillsneedsoftheregion’sbusinessesandsignposttowherepolicyandfundingcouldsupportfurthergrowth.TheymayalsoidentifyopportunitiesorfutureprojectstosupportexistingworkandensureMidlandershavetheskillsneededforthejobsofthefuture.

DEVOLUTION AND LOCAL DELIVERYWeaskGovernmenttoworkwithallMidlandsareasastheyidentifynewlocaldeliverymechanisms,implementtheirStrategicEconomicPlans,anddeveloplocalindustrialstrategiestoaddresstheneedsoflocaleconomicdevelopment.

AcoreaimoftheMidlandsEngineistorebalancetheeconomy,andlocalareasarelookingatbespokedevolutionpropositionswhichwillcreatestrongereconomiesacrosstheregion.Wesupportthesedevelopments.

TheMidlandsEngineiscommittedtosupportinglocalareasintheirnegotiationswithGovernmentaboutincreasingdevolvedpowerandfundingandcreatingnewstructurestoservecommunitiesbetter.WewelcomethecommencementofasecondroundofdevolutiontalkswiththeWestMidlandsCombinedAuthority.TheeconomicgeographyoftheWestMidlandsisaprincipaldriverofgrowth,andtheMidlandsEngineisproudtobehometoBirmingham,theUK’sSecondCity.

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SECURE PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT

Theprivatesectorwillbeasignificantdriverofgrowthintheregion,stimulatinginnovationandpromotingtheMidlandsoverseas.Itiscriticalthatbusinessescanaccessnecessaryfinance.Wheretherearecurrentlygapsintheinvestmentlandscapewearecreatingfundstosupportgrowth.

Increase the Midlands Engine Investment Fund

TheBritishBusinessBankhasannouncedthefirstwaveofits£250millionMidlandsEngineInvestmentFund,withthelaunchof£120millionofSMEdebtfinanceandsmallbusinessloans.ThisfundhasbeencreatedcollaborativelybytheBritishBusinessBankandthenineMidlandsEngineLEPsplustheSouth-EastMidlandsLEP.ThisisthefirsttimeMidlandsLEPshavepooledtheirresourcesandcollaboratedonthisscaletomeetthefinancingneedsofmicroandsmallerbusinesses.

ThefundwillofferamixofdebtandequityfinancetosmallerbusinessesacrosstheMEIFarea.Governmentestimatethatthiswillsupportover1,400smallerbusinessesandhelptocreateapproximately3,800jobs.Intheprocess,theMEIFwillencourageentrepreneurshipintheMidlandsandseektoaddressstructuralchallengesintheMidlandsSMEfinancemarket.

Thisisagoodstart,butweneedtogofurthertoachieveastepchangeingrowthfortheMidlands.Weplanforasecond,largerMEIF2withatotalfundvalueof£1billion.

Around£100millionofMEIF1isfromEuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFunds.WewilllookatalternativesourcesoffundingforMEIF2,suchasrepatriatedEuropeanfundsandwillexploreoptionswithGovernment.

Long-term capital fund

TheMidlandsEngineInvestmentFundincludes£20millionforearly-stageinvestment.Wewelcomethisinvestmentandtheopportunitiesthefundprovides.However,thisfundisnotsufficienttosupportthelargenumberoftechnologystart-upsweneedtodrivegrowthintheregion.Wehaveidentifiedthisasabarriertothecreationofnewtechnologystart-ups,andweareworkingwiththeprivatesectorandinstitutionalfundstoprovidethenecessaryinvestmentintheregion.

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BUILD THE PARTNERSHIP

GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENTSinceitwasestablishedin2015,theMidlandsEnginehasdeliveredkeypriorities,suchastheMidlandsConnectStrategy,theScienceandInnovationAudit,andtheMidlandsEngineInvestmentFund.Theambitiousvisionsetoutherewillrequireustostepuptoanewlevelofactivity.Ourgovernancereviewwillputinplacemanagementanddeliverystructuresthatarefitforpurpose.OurPrincipleswillensurethatweareconsistentinourapproachanddecisionmaking.

Asweevolveintoamoreestablishedorganisation,focusedonthefiveworkpackagessetoutinthisvision,wewilldevelopanopenandtransparentwayofworking.Wewillsometimesneedtomakedifficultdecisionsaroundprioritisationandfunding.Thiswillincludereviewingourresource,capabilityandcapacityrequirementsandhowdeliverycanbeachievedthroughadistributedleadershipstructure,withclearresponsibility,authorityandaccountability.

WewillbeaccountablebothtopartnersandtoGovernment,andourgovernancereviewwillbequicklyimplementedtoensurewecandeliverinacollaborativeandagileway.

Wewanttobroadenourreachandensurethattheprivatesectorisinvolvedinameaningfulwaysothatitcaninfluencetheagendatobolstertheregion’scompetitiveness.BuildingontheproposalsintheGovernment’sMidlandsEngineStrategywewillexplorepotentialmodelsforequippingbusinesswithapowerfulvoice.

Welookforwardtotakingthisforward,forexamplebyestablishinganewIndustryBoardbringingtogethertheChairoftheMidlandsEngine,theSecretaryofStateforCommunitiesandLocalGovernmentandkeybusinessleaders.ThereisalsotheopportunityfortheMidlandstotakeanapproachtobusinessengagementsimilartoLondonFirst.

InordertomakethemostofthefundinggrantedbyGovernment,theMidlandsEnginePartnershipwillmaximisematch-fundingsecuredfrompartners.Thiswillbothsupportthecoreactivitiesofthepartnershipandthedevelopmentofparticularprojects.Wewillcreateopportunitiesfortheprivatesectortogetvaluefromtheircontributionsandensureabroad-basedfundingsystem.

TomakeourvisionarealitywearerecruitinganewExecutiveTeam.OurnewChiefExecutiveandProgrammeDirectorwillprovidestrongleadershipindriving,deliveringandcommunicatingtheMidlandsEnginePartnership’sprogrammesofwork.AMidlandsEnginecommunicationscampaignwillhelpsecureahigh-levelofpositiverecognitionandpromoteengagementandactiveinvolvementacrosstheregion.


BUILD THE EVIDENCE BASE TounderstandthecomplexitiesofaBrexit-readyeconomyweneedarobustpictureoftheMidlandsbothnowandinthefuture,usingevidencetofocusdelivery.Wewillevaluatewhatwearedoingtoseewhatworksandlearnfromthis.Goodpoliciesandeffectivedecisionsmustbeunderpinnedbythebestandmostup-to-dateinformationpossible.Forthesereasons,wewanttocreatetheMidlandsEconomicObservatory.

Theregionisalreadyhometoavarietyofeconomicobservatorybodies.Weproposetodrawfromtheirworktobuildaframeworkwhichsupportsanagreedeconomicobservatorymodelataregionallevel.WewanttoundertaketheUK’sfirstplace-basedsectorassessmentofthepotentialimpactofBrexit,includingconsiderationofspatialelementsandimpactoneachLEPareaandthetwoCoreCitiesintheMidlands.

WewillstarttomeasuretheeconomyoftheMidlandsusinganagreedsetofindicatorstoallowbetterreportingtoGovernmentontheadditionalimpactofpolicychangeandinvestmentactivity.Thiswillcreatetheevidencebaseweneedtoinformthekeyinterventionsthatwillbemosteffectiveinacceleratinggrowth.Itwillalsoplayacriticalroleinevaluatinghowfundinghasbeenspentandwhatreturnshavebeenachieved.

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TURN THIS VISION INTO A REALITY

ThisvisionsetsouttheworkpackagesandpriorityprojectsoftheMidlandsEngineandtheMidlandsEnginePartnership’sresponsetotheGovernment’sMidlandsEngineStrategy.

ItistheresultofanunprecedentedlevelofcollaborationwithbusinessesandGovernment.Seniorstakeholdershavecometogetherasneverbeforeunderrobustgovernancearrangements.

ItsetsoutourintenttocollaborateacrosstheregiontoenabletheMidlandsof2030tobetheengineoftheUKeconomy.

InthecomingmonthsourincomingChiefExecutiveandtheMidlandsEnginePartnershipwilldevelopthedetailthatturnsthisambitionintorealitywiththesupportofGovernment.

OurOperatingBudget,includingthe£4millionfromGovernmentforthenexttwoyears,willbeusedtofundafullyresourcedsecretariat,delivermarketingandcommunicationsactivityand,asagreedbytheMidlandsEngineExecutiveBoard,toprioritiseprojectsanddevelopbusinesscases.

WehavebeengratefulforthesupportofseniorMinistersandwewelcometheSecretaryofStateforCommunitiesandLocalGovernmentworkingwithusonourexcitingplansastheMinisterfortheMidlandsEngineandourchampioninGovernment.

WehavesetoutinthisvisionourbolddirectionoftravelandtheroleoftheMidlandsinsupportingtheGovernment’sIndustrialStrategy,bothintheshorttermandinthepost-Brexitworld,confidentthatwhentheMidlandssucceeds,Britainsucceeds.

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GLOSSARY

CBI ConfederationofBritishIndustry

DIT DepartmentforInternationalTrade

ERA EnergyResearchAccelerator

FSB FederationofSmallBusinesses

FDI ForeignDirectInvestment

FTZ FreeTradeZone

GDP GrossDomesticProduct

GVA GrossValueAdded

HS2 HighSpeedTwo

IoD InstituteofDirectors

LEP LocalEnterprisePartnership

LGF LocalGrowthFund

MEIF MidlandsEngineInvestmentFund

MEIH MidlandsEngineInvestmentHub

SIA ScienceandInnovationAudit

SME SmallandMediumEnterprise

PhotographycourtesyofRolls-Royce,Toyota,TheManufacturingTechnologyCentreandHS2

W:midlandsengine.org

E:[email protected]

T:@midsengine

September2017

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