Region should plan for future ‘despite Brexit’
WEST Midlands mayor Andy Street claims Brexit could have a ‘big effect’ on the West Midlands economy – and the region should be planning for the future irrespective of what happens.
Speaking at the launch of the West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) Industrial Strategy, the mayor said Britain’s position was going to change ‘whatever happens’ in the Brexit negotiations.
The strategy, launched on Friday, makes a series of commitments to turn the West Midlands into a global leader in medical technology and offering a home for future mobility and transport innovation in the UK.
The mayor said that now was the perfect time to launch a vision for the future of the West Midlands economy.
“If the question is, could Brexit have a big effect on this [the industrial strategy], then the answer is yes,” he said.
“It makes it even more important that we think about how we strengthen our economy long term, almost irrespective of the outcome of Brexit.
“I think the timing of this is particularly important given Brexit.
“It’s an important piece of work, and I think we’ve got to try and get people enthused about that. It’s about what places will people be working at in the future, where are the areas of opportunity.
“And this is really the story of what’s gone on here. The economy has diversified. So we have strengthened our position in manufacturing, but at the same time we’ve developed all these sectors, and that’s good.”
The mayor’s comments were supported by Tim Pile, chairman of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP). “Our Local Industrial Strategy has been developed to reflect the unique strengths and benefits of operating in the West Midlands,” he said. “It is designed to build on this region’s distinctive heritage and expertise, whilst identifying the future opportunities that will help us realise this region’s full economic potential. “Having identified the West Midlands’ sectors of strength, GBSLEP has been working with our partners to ensure that the Strategy identifies practical ways to boost innovation, productivit y , job creation and growth across a range of valuable industries.”