The D2N2 LEP Board have issued the following statement regarding rumours about the future of LEPs:
“We are aware of comments in the media about LEPs generally and the competence of the volunteer board members and professional staff of LEPs. The latest Performance Reviews carried out by government sets out how highly effective, competent and efficient LEPs are and will continue to be in delivering the levelling up agenda.
The D2N2 LEP has played an integral part in the ongoing national review of Local Enterprise Partnerships. We remain optimistic about the outcome because we are clear about the added value D2N2 has brought to our region over ten years and that we have a key role to play in our low carbon future. As a business-led local partnership, we are keen to ensure that local partners and local businesses continue to have a clear strategic input in driving national priorities and regional economic growth.
Since it was established, the D2N2 LEP has secured more than £1.5 billion in investment for the region. Our Local Growth Fund deal has successfully delivered 60 major projects and created over 16,000 jobs. In addition, we have supported 17,000 of our region’s SMEs through our Growth Hub, helped over 12,000 learners, and led the bid to secure the UK’s only inland Freeport.
Local Enterprise Partnerships are ideally placed to deliver on the Government’s Levelling Up ambitions, support Plan for Growth and Net Zero ambitions, as demonstrated by our recent launch of a new Low Carbon Growth fund which has received excellent levels of interest. As a board we firmly believe we have the creativity, the expertise, and the experience to collectively deliver the sustainable economic growth that our region needs and deserves.”
