A blueprint to kickstart the West Midlands economy and create long-term prosperity for the region and wider UK is being put to Government today by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). With research suggesting the region could be hit harder than most by the Covid-19 lockdown, Kickstarting the West Midlands Economy: Our Investment Case to Government sets out the immediate actions needed to stimulate the economy in the short term, in ways that will also support a long-term sustainable recovery that is both green and more inclusive. The region’s political, business, and trade union leaders, who have collectively drawn up the investment plan, today called on Government to work with them to reset, rebuild and recharge the West Midlands. It is believed the first opportunity to secure some of the funding needed will be next month when the Government is expected to outline the next steps in its economic response to coronavirus. The region’s blueprint, which is to be launched at a virtual press conference this morning by Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street and Cllr Ian Brookfield, WMCA portfolio holder for economy and innovation and leader of the City of Wolverhampton Council, seeks £3.2bn of investment over the next three years to boost recovery for local people and business and make a step-change in tackling climate change. It aims to build on the previous strong performance of the region’s economy, as well as the £2.7bn of Government investment secured since 2017. Find out more here.
