Blogs - 08 June 2015

The Midlands Engine

Last week, the Chancellor George Osborne visited Derby, in part to outline the Government vision for a Midlands Engine for Growth. In these pages we have previously identified the need for the East Midlands to ‘punch its weight’ by working more collaboratively so we support the Government being proactive. However, we need to turn thoughts into action and work quickly on developing a coherence to our approach and specifically what are the real economic strengths of the area – our USPs.

To a degree, the Chancellor identified these areas – connectivity, universities, exporting, manufacturing and engineering and we should recognise what Government considers to be important as well as what we know to be important.

In developing a vision for the area, it is really important that it is authentic, working with the grain of the area. We have emphasised that being people-centred has to be at the core of any economic development plan with residents and businesses alike understanding what’s in it for them and how their businesses and families will benefit.

559 Osborne Midlands Garrandale

The Chancellor George Osborne speaking at Garrandale in Derby last week

Whilst we have some really important large multi-nationals, small business is at the heart of the East Midlands and supporting their resilience and growth is absolutely crucial.

Our draft suggestions include 5 key themes:

  1. Connectivity – maximising the location of the East Midlands at the centre of the UK including increasing exports and supporting HS2.
  2. Innovative – capturing the competitive advantage of having world-class universities in our area.
  3. People-Centred – ensuring all residents are empowered by and feel the benefit of economic growth through upskilling, higher productivity and local devolution.
  4. Low Carbon – Ensuring jobs growth is sustainable and delivered whilst minimising the impact on the planet
  5. Smart –the provision of superfast or ultrafast broadband and maximising the opportunities for the application of technology – the internet of things – to engage more communities in the right solutions to economic growth.

In any plan, there will be a need to set out measurable and challenging goals and secure the funding and loans to make sure they happen. Devolution will be at the core of the strategy, providing local powers with the powers to implement the right sort of growth, at the right scale, and at the right time.

David Ralph, Chief Executive, The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership

Latest News & Events

29 September 2023

East Midlands Hydrogen Launch Event video published

Read Article

27 September 2023

Ratio Technology Transforms Bike Component Manufacturing with Made Smarter Support

Read Article

22 September 2023

D2N2 leads highly successful launch of East Midlands Hydrogen

Read Article

21 September 2023

D2N2 CEO Will Morlidge shares his thoughts on East Midlands Hydrogen

Read Article

19 September 2023

Spotlight on our D2N2 Enterprise Advisers: meet Anna Smith, Enterprise Adviser, Da Vinci Academy, Derby

Read Article

14 September 2023

Spotlight on our D2N2 Enterprise Advisers: meet Amanda Stevenson-Bate, Enterprise Adviser, Derby Moor Spencer Academy, Derby

Read Article

07 September 2023

D2N2 Cornerstone Employers discuss the Social Value Act and the importance of supporting local schools in new film

Read Article

06 September 2023

Former ‘Megawatt Valley’ to metamorphose into hydrogen heartland with the launch of East Midlands Hydrogen – the UK’s largest inland hydrogen cluster

Read Article

05 September 2023

Derby Museums publishes report revealing the impressive social impact of the Museum of Making capital project

Read Article

31 August 2023

D2N2 is seeking delivery partners for Wave 5 of Skills Bootcamps in Digital and Green Skills

Read Article

Get in touch.

Subscribe to get our latest updates.

Sign up
Address

D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership
8 Experian Way
Nottingham
Nottinghamshire
NG2 1EP

Social

Our Partners