POLITICS
ECONOMY FOCUS
OF CONFERENCE The Chamber’s State of the Economy Conference takes place at Derbyshire County Cricket Club, from 1pm to 4pm on Friday 9 November. It will bring together business leaders from
across the region and is the only conference to focus on the economic performance and prospects for the East Midlands. With strong regional performance
continuing to take place against a backdrop of Brexit negotiations and political instability, this event will consider how to enhance the competitiveness of East Midlands businesses, and the political and economic levers that can be used to support them. The conference seeks to send
‘Now more than ever, it is essential that our elected representatives deliver the basics that businesses need to grow. The UK’s future relationship with the EU must not come at the expense of meaningful engagement with domestic policy for growth’
4.BOOST OUR COMPETITIVENESS • Emphasise the importance of diversification and innovation within current funding structures.
• Support supply chains from the bottom up and the top down.
• Increase research and development incentives for businesses investing in products, machinery, plant and people.
• Provide funding to enhance leadership and management skills, particularly in manufacturing and engineering.
• Give early clarity on the future of the Shared Prosperity Fund, using an evidence base to align it with Industrial Strategy priorities.
Chris said: “Linked to the many multinational
manufacturers in the East Midlands, there are many smaller businesses in this region that operate in complex supply chains and struggle to be competitive. Government policy needs to recognise at a local level the efforts these firms make to remain competitive against the rising costs and bureaucracy of doing business in the UK and incentivise investment.” Behind the four headings, the Chamber is
asking Government to back a vision for the region by creating a zone of ultra-high growth in logistics and advanced manufacturing, hinged around East Midlands Airport, the adjacent East Midlands Gateway strategic rail freight interchange and development around Toton that will come with HS2 Phase 2b. Focusing on this central location would capitalise on HS2, the M1 motorway, the region’s superb location for logistics and would draw on the talent from three close neighbouring cities and six universities.
Calling it ‘The Big Opportunity’, the Manifesto calls on Government to:
• Deliver a mechanism for joined-up planning decisions across multiple local authority and LEP boundaries.
• Confirm delivery of HS2 Phase 2b as early as possible and bring forward the operational date of HS2 to encourage development.
• Develop existing plans to create a Manufacturing Zone in the East Midlands, linked to developments around the airport, the SRFI and Toton, and
• Give public backing to these business-led plans for an Ultra-High Growth Zone.
Chris added: “Now more than ever, it is
essential that our elected representatives deliver the basics that businesses need to grow. The UK’s future relationship with the EU must not come at the expense of meaningful engagement with domestic policy for growth. “None of the asks are particularly difficult to
deliver individually. If they are delivered in a cohesive manner, they will bring benefits significantly greater than the sum of their parts, both to the region and to the country in a post- Brexit economy. “It may be that in discussions around the
manifesto we have to tweak it slightly to include any outcomes from the State of the Economy Conference, but we’re confident we’ve captured the mood and concerns of local businesses. “It’s time for Government to back a winner,
which is why we’re going to deliver our manifesto to the heart of Westminster, directly to elected Members from all parties and the senior civil servants.”
Westminster some compelling messages about infrastructure, business support and Brexit priorities on behalf of the regional business community in order to sustain the region's long-term economic vitality.
Keynote speakers include:
Rosie Smith East Midlands Agent, Bank of England, who will talk about the UK Economic Landscape
Chris Hayton Head of External Affairs, East Midlands Airport, on the Significance of Connectivity in a Modern Global Economy
Robert Jenrick MP (Newark) Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, who will offer A View from Westminster
Adam Marshall Director-General, British Chambers of Commerce, on A Vision for the East Midlands in a post-Brexit UK.
There will also be panel discussions on:
• A Vision for Delivering Growth in Uncertain Times - featuring David Williams, Chairman at Geldards, Paul Harris, Director of Economic Development at Rolls-Royce, Susan Hallam, CEO at Hallam Internet and Kevin Harris, Partner at RSM and Chair of LLEP.
• Business Versatility: Accommodating Brexit and Volatile Operating Conditions – featuring Nadeem Raza, Managing Director at Microlise, Byron Dixon, CEO at Micro-Fresh and Mark Deakin, Regional Director at Turner & Townsend.
For more information about the conference or to book your place visit
bit.ly/EMCSOE
business network November 2018 39
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