This is an important first step in putting local economic prosperity at the heart of Government policy. This step though, must now rapidly become leaps and bounds. Business communities are keen to see the ambitions of this agenda turn into delivery in the very near future, improving prosperity around the country.
We are pleased to see policies the Chamber Network has long campaigned for – such as UK-wide infrastructure reaching London standards, widespread 5G internet, local skills planning and devolution of funding decisions to the local level – take real significance and be enshrined in law.
What must now follow is the detail on the role local business leaders will have in oversight and delivery of the missions laid out. Where necessary, additional funding must be made available in order to drive change.
Government must not forget the role that local businesses play in creating opportunity and prosperity in their communities, and should continue to work with the Chamber and others to identify further ways to improve the business environment and enable more firms to grow and thrive.
Members are able to download a Chamber summary of key policy announcements of the Levelling Up White Paper, February 2022 here > Policy Grid:
