SWM consultation response to UK industrial strategy

Date of the report
April 2017

Author of the report

SWM

Purpose of the report

The purpose of this report is to draw from SWM and our partners, members, and networks experience in the West Midlands to provide evidence to UK policy makers in the development of the UK industrial strategy. It includes an assessment against the West Midlands Roadmap to a Sustainable Future in 2020. It will also provide useful strategic context for organisations reviewing or developing their economic strategies within the West Midlands, such as the West Midlands Combined Authority and LEPs. Our recommendations include:

Refine the overall objective of the strategy so rather than economic growth being a goal, instead it is supporting overall wider social and environmental goals.
To assess investment and impact to deliver the UK industrial strategy against the three key headline indicators of productivity GVA measures, carbon reduction and the health inequality gap between the worst and best areas.
Strengthen the understanding of the future challenges the UK industrial strategy will need to respond to.
Strengthen the role of resource efficiency and the circular economy within the strategy
Strengthen the role of the Environmental Goods and Services sector within the strategy as an underlying ‘enabler’
Include the role of environmental infrastructure within the strategy
Create a clear national plan and framework for economic development devolution for all parts of England
There needs to be a clear ‘rebalancing’ economic fund or criteria within existing funds to replace ERDF
‘Metro-Mayors’ to have similar access to Ministerial Forum on Economic Growth as devolved nations and continue to drive civil service relocation outside London.
The role of independent sustainability bodies promoting clusters and networks to drive productivity.