The report by Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Enterprise Partnership explores how economic recovery from Covid 19 would look like, whilst supporting our communities and businesses. Support to create lasting opportunities is needed for the longer term, ensuring that the lasting damage to communities caused by previous economic shocks does not happen this time.
Opportunities
- We are extremely well connected with an excellent commercial offer and strong business and HE relationships.
- Our major proposal for the UK and Europe’s first 5g connected region for rural and urban areas.
- Manufacturing and materials innovation.
- Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire are at the forefront of the UK’s transition to a zero-carbon economy.
- A visitor economy that had been growing strongly prior to lockdown.
Challenges
- Overall productivity is not as high as it could be and workplace-based wage levels have not kept pace with job growth.
- Skills levels have increased rapidly, but performance and qualifications at key stage 4 and 5 are still too low. We need higher-level skills and have specific gaps in relation to digital, technical and construction skills.
- We still have fewer businesses than we should, despite our great location, affordable space and a city with one of the youngest populations in the country.
- We have some severely deprived communities with health and wellbeing outcomes that are unacceptably low.
- Town centres face challenges and will have to adapt fast if they are to attract investment whilst keeping pace with changing demand and consumer behaviour.
- Support for rural areas is needed which have opportunities to raise productivity not only in the agriculture & tourism sectors but also as key locations for some of the fastest-growing manufacturing companies in the LEP area.
- Climate change is creating long-term pressures on all parts of the world.
Aims and Approach
The overall ambition is to be a hot spot of enterprise, ambition and business growth, where digital, transport and energy networks drive productivity and inclusion through innovation, inward investment and with a high quality of life. For the full detailed report, click here.
