Rural West ‘missing out’ on levelling up agenda

SJenrick has thrown a large hand grenade widening the urban-rural divide TIM JONES, SWBC

OUTH West businesses have accused the Government of “throwing a hand grenade” at plans to level up the country by prioritising the creation of new mayoralties in the North of England.

Tim Jones, chairman of the South West Business Council (SWBC), said ministers were concentrating on an “urban centric economy” at the expense of rural areas.

His remarks came after communities secretary Robert Jenrick told the Financial Times that Cumbria, North Yorkshire and East Riding of Yorkshire could have elected mayors as the Government committed to “widen and deepen” the devolution agenda.

But Mr Jones, chairman of the South West Business Council (SWBC), said Mr Jenrick’s comments were “hugely inflammatory” and that “soundings” from businesses in the South West revealed they felt rural areas, and the South West in particular, were being neglected.

“He’s thrown a large hand grenade that will further the divide between cities and the rural areas,” Mr Jones said. “Big cities are their priority. The Government has little interest in our rural economy. But they should work out a strategy for rural and urban areas.”

The SWBC concerns come just a week after Prime Minister Boris Johnson was asked to make good on years of promises to Back the Great South West.

In an open letter to the premier, Bill Martin, publisher of the Western Morning News, which with Pennon spearheaded the #BackTheGreatSouthWest campaign, wrote that economic leaders in the region are frustrated after five years of “warm words” but a dearth of action on plans for the region to become a beacon for the green economy.

Now a new levelling up white paper is due for publication this autumn, understood to supersede a previously promised devolution plan.

Mr Jenrick told the FT there is still “interest” in creating three northern mayoralties, but in rural areas county deals, due to be confirmed in that white paper, may be more appropriate.

This concept takes devolution beyond the largest cities, offering the same powers metro mayors have gained over the likes of transport, skills and economic support.

County Deals are expected to be bespoke to the needs of individual places, allowing them to pilot ideas, create jobs, drive growth and improve public services.

But Mr Jones said these deals could be sub-standard and added: “The Government is saying that if you are not a mayoralty you will be a lower category. So if you read it the way we are it’s a highly volatile situation and we are always going to be playing catch up on funding.”