Robert Jenrick, The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government visited Derby yesterday (23 July) to see first-hand how the city and region are responding to the impacts of COVID-19.
Mr Jenrick visited Rolls Royce to get first-hand insight into the experience of the UK manufacturer, both as a major regional employer and a global manufacturer and exporter.
Also in attendance were Derby MPs Pauline Latham, Amanda Solloway, and Dame Margaret Beckett.
He was briefed on the company’s advances in low-carbon technology and their strategy to support the UK’s path to net zero through innovations such as its small modular reactors.
The Minister was also shown around the iHub innovation centre at Infinity Park.
The development, which is partly funded by D2N2, is a manufacturing-focused innovation and technology park, which has Enterprise Zone status.
iHub
At the Centre, he met with members of the Derby Coronavirus Economic Recovery Task Force, including leaders of the Derby City Council, D2N2, key local business leaders and officials to hear about the challenges and opportunities faced by the city.
He was briefed on the efforts of a task force set up to help find new employment for workers facing redundancy as part of the economic fallout.
Members of the Economic Recovery Task Force also presented further details on bids to the government to help the city build back better and differently.
A D2N2 spokesman said: “We were pleased to welcome The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to Derby to hear about the impacts of COVID19 and our collective plans for recovery and long-term economic growth.”
“It was a very positive meeting, and we were able to describe the actions that local partners and businesses are taking to reset our economy and build confidence across the region.”
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