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Business leaders call on new government to ‘back the economy in the East of England’
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Business leaders call on new government to ‘back the economy in the East of England’
19 May 2010
Business leaders from across the East of England today published a hard-hitting blueprint for economic growth, which calls for a new partnership between business and government.
Businesses here are leading the UK’s economic recovery and want to work closely with the new coalition government to make the most of future opportunities.
With an economy worth £110 billion every year and home to over 430,000 businesses, the East of England is at the heart of rapidly-growing industries such as low carbon and life sciences. It is also capable of delivering future prosperity that benefits the UK as a whole, says a group of influential and high-profile business leaders from the region.
Coming together to promote the East of England as the UK’s ‘ideas region’, the business leaders group brings together household names such as Adnams plc, Mills & Reeve and Anglian Water. It is calling on all businesses – large and small – to sign up to their call for continued investment in the East of England at www.eastofengland.uk.com.
The business leaders recognise that while reductions in the deficit will mean government prioritising, investment here must not be cut.
The report, Blueprint for Growth, East of England Business Delivering UK Economic Success, is an action plan for business and government to work together for the good of the East of England.
“The growth opportunities in the East of England are the greatest in a generation,” said Steve Sharratt, Regional Council Chairman of the CBI in the East who chairs the ‘Space for Ideas’ business leaders group. “There are fundamental issues that the government, in partnership with business across our region, needs to address and overcome” he added.
The report, which will hit the desks of MPs and Ministers in their first full week in office, sets out nine priorities that need to be met in a region which is only one of three in the UK to make a positive contribution to the economy.
“A new parliament and a new plan for economic recovery is exactly the right moment to bring together talent and experience from business and government,” said Will Pope, chair of the East of England Development Agency. “The East of England is already leading the UK out of recession, creating more jobs, business, growth and investment. This is all based on fostering innovation and talent, two of the region’s key strengths. Working together we will build on success and capitalise on these opportunities, delivering so much more for UK plc.”
Businesses are being asked to back the blueprint, by signing up to the priorities in a simple but effective way.
“We would like anyone that is passionate about business, growth and the future of our economy to sign up to the blueprint.” said Steve Sharratt. “By just visiting www.eastofengland.uk.com, individuals or businesses can simply but clearly give their support and add their name. The more sign ups there are, the more our voice will be heard in Whitehall and beyond, and the more progress we will make in transforming our region.”
The East of England delivers continued growth in the UK with £1 in every £5 of venture capital investment in the UK flowing to East of England businesses.
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