04 February 2019

LEP leaders tell Prime Minister Local Industrial Strategies are on target

LEP leaders tell Prime Minister Local Industrial Strategies are on target

The Prime Minister has met with business leaders from England’s Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to track progress on their work with government to boost economic growth for communities across the country.

The Prime Minister heard from business leaders representing each of the LEPs across England including Jim Stewart, Chair of Dorset LEP. The LEP chairs briefed the Prime Minister on the development of their Local Industrial Strategies – blueprints for driving long-term productivity and prosperity – which will see LEPs work closely with government to unlock local growth.

 

Dorset LEP is currently leading the process of producing a Local Industrial Strategy for Dorset and has recently issued a call for evidence.

The council also covered updates on the timelines for delivering the Local Industrial Strategies, engagement with SMEs and rural communities, progress against the Grand Challenges identified in the Government’s Industrial Strategy which aim to keep the UK at the forefront of key global trends, and discussion around the latest business intelligence from across the country ahead of the UK’s departure from the EU.

The Prime Minister, Theresa May said:

“Local Enterprise Partnerships have a vital role to play in delivering our modern Industrial Strategy.

“Working closely with government, their leadership is helping make sure businesses thrive as we prepare to leave the European Union.

“I was pleased to hear directly from LEP representatives how they are bringing together the local business community, universities and other partners to design long-term, ambitious plans tailored to the strengths and needs of their areas.

“Using their unique insight and expertise to co-develop Local Industrial Strategies, LEPs are boosting economic growth, securing jobs and delivering prosperity – making sure that no community is left behind.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Council of Local Enterprise Partnership Chairs was announced in the 2017 Industrial Strategy White Paper as a new forum for LEP business leaders to help shape national policy decisions and ensure closer cooperation with the Government on Industrial Strategy objectives. This is the second of these councils, the first having been held on 19th June 2018. A full readout of the meeting can be viewed here.

2. The LEP Network is a gateway to news and information which enables England’s 38 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to come together on areas of shared importance, engage with Government, and share knowledge and best practice. The Network is also there to help those outside the world of LEPs, understand what a LEP is, what LEPs are trying to achieve and how to engage further with the relevant LEP. Each of the 38 LEP Boards comprises representatives from local authorities and private enterprise.