BUSINESS NEWS


A new system of support is needed BY JOHN LAMB


A programme of engagement with businesses is to be stepped up by the new West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). Business leaders met


representatives from the WMCA at a breakfast event organised by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) to hear an update on how the WMCA will work with businesses. Councillor Bob Sleigh, chair of


the shadow WMCA board and leader of Solihull Council, said it was vital the body engaged with business to improve productivity in the region, engaging on skills, transport and housing. “We are trying to develop a new


agenda on these issues and the WMCA has already begun to open a lot of doors by going to Whitehall and talking to ministers.” Mark Rogers, chief executive of Birmingham City Council, described the engagement as a “integrated business support eco system”. “There is a whole set of support


needed and we are looking to see if we can bring greater coherence. The first deal is to get into re- architecting support around business,” he said.


Midlands in his Budget – and warned the region would not be relegated to ‘second best.’ Greater Birmingham Chambers of


Standing up for the region B


BY JON GRIFFIN


irmingham business leaders have accused the Chancellor of shunning the West


“There’s more to England than


Commerce went on the attack after George Osborne made no mention of the Midlands Engine in his Budget Day speech – despite announcing significant investment in the Northern Powerhouse. Henrietta Brealey, director of


policy and strategic relationships at the Chambers, expressed ‘deep frustration’ at the lack of recognition for the region in the 2016 Budget compared to the North-West. Ms Brealey said: “There were


many announcements that businesses in the region may support, particularly on pledges to simplify tax administration and cut business rates for small businesses. However, while the Northern Powerhouse was clearly front of mind, the Midlands Engine was not mentioned a single time in his hour- long speech. “While the Budget Document itself does include information on


the North and London. The Midlands Engine area is home to 11.5 million people and has an economy worth over £222bn per year. We cannot and will not be relegated to second best if the Chancellor is serious about growing the economy.” Ms Brealey’s attack on the


Henrietta Brealey


‘The Midlands Engine was not mentioned a single time in his hour-long speech’


notable additional investment in the Midlands Engine, the lack of any recognition for the region in the Chancellor’s speech is deeply frustrating. The measures announced also pale in comparison to the value of the additional infrastructure investment unveiled for the Northern Powerhouse.


Chancellor follows claims by Professor John Bryson, Director of City-Region Economic Development Institute, Birmingham Business School at the University of Birmingham that the Midlands Engine was of greater economic value to the UK. Professor Bryson said in advance


of the Budget: “There are three reasons to justify supporting the Midlands Engine in the March 2016 budget. First, the Midlands is the only part of the UK that has a trading surplus with China. “Second, parts of the Midlands


consume more tax revenue than they produce. Third, the Midlands region is underperforming. “If it matched the predicted


growth rate for the UK over the next 15 years, it could create 300,000 jobs and contribute an additional £34 billion to the UK economy.”


16 CHAMBERLINK APRIL 2016


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