David Ralph, Chief Executive of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, broadly welcomed Chancellor George Osborne’s sixth Budget but had hoped to see more direct mention of the D2N2 area and the Midlands in it.
Commenting after the Budget 2015 announcement, David (pictured) said: “It was good to see a recognition of the successes of the D2N2 area and wider Midlands’ economy in the Chancellor’s Budget, and announcement of the University of Nottingham’s participation in the new £60million energy research programme is welcome.
D2N2 Chief Executive David Ralph
“The extra help for companies exporting to China and cancellation of September’s planned fuel duty increase will be of help to businesses, particularly those involved in logistics and transport, which is one of D2N2’s priority sectors for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
“It was also pleasing to see the announcement of 20 new UK housing zones – three of these in the D2N2 areas of Derby City, Gedling and Bassetlaw – aimed at providing more, and more affordable housing for the area; one of the Local Enterprise Partnership’s main targets. This, allied to the commitment towards providing ultra-fast broadband, will make a real difference to families.
“I would have liked to have seen more detailed mention of what the Budget would do for the Midlands, aside from the early figure of a job being created ‘every ten minutes’ in the region.
“Mr Osborne highlighted greater powers over spending and major transport infrastructure schemes for London, Manchester and other areas; and said his ‘door was open’ to other regions to ask the same. This was a welcome statement from the Chancellor, especially given that D2N2 is part of a consortium, along with leading local authorities in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, which this week journeyed to London to lobby Government for greater powers to decide the business and other priorities for this area.”
