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Inclusive Economy

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Inclusive Economy

We propose the following draft objective for the Spatial Development Strategy to achieve and deliver.

Strategic Objective 3: Delivering an Inclusive Economy

This will be achieved by:

  • Transforming the City Region economy so that it is competitive, environmentally clean, well connected, socially inclusive and future ready.
  • Supporting the growth of innovative, sustainable and socially responsible enterprises of all sizes and types.
  • Redefining economic growth so that it values and involves the prosperity of all people and places.
  • Connecting businesses, visitors and communities through enhanced access to digital networks.
  • Revitalising town centres so that they are renewed focal points for communities and businesses.
    • What you told us

    From our initial engagement, your feedback, in summary, told us:

  • A lack of high-quality jobs available, particularly for local people and graduates, and a need to focus employment development around transport nodes.
  • The cost of brownfield remediation, potentially resulting in unaffordable housing and future workspaces.
  • The importance of equality and inclusive growth.
  • The need to promote digital infrastructure and support businesses in creating new and additional jobs and support key sectors.
  • The need to support and regenerate declining high streets.
    • Key reasons behind this objective

    The Metro Mayor and Combined Authority have set the ambition for the City Region to punch its weight on the national and international stage, and for a prosperous economy that creates wealth for our nation and opportunity for our people. The LCRCA is committed to creating a high-skill, high-value economy, and an exemplar for a fair, progressive and sustainable economy.

    The inclusive economy is defined ‘as one that creates purposeful economic success, measured not just by GDP but by the health and wellbeing of all citizens. It is an economy with opportunities for all people and places to prosper, and an economy that is strengthened by this inclusivity.’ LCRCA’s draft Local Industrial Strategy sets a Grand Challenge for the City Region to be the most inclusive economy in the UK.

    LCRCA’s Recovery Plan ‘ Building Back Better ’ sets out a vision for a globally competitive, environmentally responsible, socially inclusive economy remains valid and that addressing health, inequality and the climate emergency are critical to achieving this vision.

    Based on national planning policy , planning policies should help create the conditions in which businesses can invest, expand and adapt, place significant weight on the need to support economic growth and productivity, and support town centres.

    The City Region is a growing economy, generating £32.5bn of economic output per year, an increase of over £1.5bn in real terms over the last decade, against the backdrop of the deepest recession the UK has experienced since the Second World War ( draft Local Industrial Strategy ).

    The Government’s 2019 English Indices of Deprivation show that almost a third of the City Region’s neighbourhoods are within the top 10% most deprived in England.

    How we will use this objective

    This objective will serve as a guiding principle to shape the SDS as it is developed. A number of suggested policy approaches have also been put forward as part of this engagement that would directly or indirectly help us achieve this objective.

    Tell us what you think

    Please provide your views on this draft objective by answering the questions below.

    This engagement phase has finished

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