4 PUBLISHER’S VIEW
MEET OUR TEAM
Ged Henderson, editor
ged.henderson@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk t: 01254 295585
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PUBLISHER’S VIEW Richard Slater, publisher
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richard@lancashirebusinessview.co.uk www.lancashirebusinessview.co.uk
As the presses started rolling on this edition of Lancashire Business View the new tenant in Number 10 was being handed the keys and sizing up the curtains.
After what seems an eternity of hustings and blue on blue infighting, the country will finally have its new Prime Minister. Whichever of the two candidates landed the gig, the challenges they will face are multiple, with no easy solutions to any of them.
The massively rising cost of energy, soaring inflation, a war in Europe, a Brexit situation that is far from settled, a growing skills shortage, our pandemic hangover. We could go on.
So, amid all this volatility, what does Lancashire’s business community need and what does it expect from the new Conservative leader?
The old saying that businesses hate uncertainty remains true. To end that uncertainty, the new PM needs to act quickly to tell us how they will tackle the energy crisis and its crippling impact on businesses – and to get those policies into action. There really is no time to wait.
From manufacturing to hospitality, potentially crippling energy prices are already taking their toll on Lancashire’s economy, hindering its post-Covid recovery. A solid, deliverable plan is vital.
Levelling up is another issue that has been left hanging during the summer. The new incumbent must seize its opportunities and commit to not just continuing the policy but actually accelerating things. We need to see more projects coming out of the ground.
Rising costs are also having an impact on levelling up projects. An acknowledgement of that, plans to tackle those concerns and a statement that the government is in this for the long haul would be welcomed.
But it’s not words that will make the difference, delivery is also needed. Let’s see the colour of the government’s money. It will take £50m to get spades in the ground in Morecambe and start the Eden Project North.
This is a regeneration scheme that ticks all the boxes, it will be a game- changer not just for the north of our county but the whole of the North West. So let’s get on with it.
In our skills debate in this issue there is a call for Lancashire to be the STEM- based economy of the UK. Businesses here are eager to deliver that. Again, government backing and support will be vital.
Lancashire’s council leaders have delivered a strong statement to the government, coming together in a show of unity to support all of the bids submitted to the Levelling Up Fund from across the county.
Meanwhile, the government has now confirmed that a £1.14bn devolution deal is on offer for the east midlands, covering Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby, and Nottingham.
The deal will provide that region with a guaranteed income stream of £38m per year over a 30-year period.
The new regime in Westminster needs to give Lancashire an indication of where our devo submission is in its thinking and if it is heading in the right direction. A timetable to delivery would also be helpful. Over to you Prime Minister.
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Editorial: Ged Henderson, Tim Aldred Photography: Clive Lawrence, Paul Adams, Liz Henson Photography Artwork and layout: Magnificent Studio Printed by Peter Scott Printers, Burnley
Lancashire Business View is written, designed and produced by Northpoint Publishing. Lancashire Business View and LBV are registered trademarks. The views expressed by our columnists are not necessarily shared by Lancashire Business View.
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ISSN: 1757-479X
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