Liam Byrne MP, Minister for the West Midlands, has officially launched the West Midlands Economic Strategy – Connecting to Success – following the most inclusive consultation process yet.

The launch took place alongside the draft Regional Spatial Strategy at the opening of Longbridge Innovation Centre.

The £20 million centre is the first phase of the regeneration of Longbridge providing a massive boost to jobs and homes in the area and was the venue for the Minister’s announcement.

Liam Byrne will present the two aligned strategies, developed from the same evidence base, the first region in England to do so, alongside Nick Paul, Chairman of Advantage West Midlands, and David Smith, Chairman of the West Midlands Regional Assembly.

The West Midlands Economic Strategy sets out what the West Midlands region needs to do to boost its economic performance and add over £2,000 in wealth for every man and women in the region.

The draft West Midlands Spatial Strategy provides the long-term land use and transport planning framework for the region, setting out, amongst other things, the scale and distribution of housing and economic development, investment priorities for transport and policies for waste.  

Liam Byrne MP, Minister for the West Midlands, said: “The Longbridge Innovation Centre is proof you just can't knock this region down. 

“In almost no time we've taken a symbol of the sharp end of the changing world economy and put in foundations for a new community that will see 10,000 jobs and 1000 homes on one site over the next 15 years.

“For some what happened at Longbridge would have been a knockout blow.  But not for us.
“We just rolled up our sleeves and built a new future.

“Britain is today one of the worlds most successful economies.

“Today’s plans are big and bold and show how with a bit of West Midlands spirit we can build 50,000 jobs and over half a million new homes to local families living here.

I” make no apology for being ambitious because I know we can do it.”

Nick Paul, Advantage West Midlands Chairman, said: “The West Midlands output per head in 2005 was 89 per cent of the UK average which equates to a £10 billion output gap.

“In other words, the West Midlands’ economy would be £10 billion richer if our output per head were the same as the UK average.

“Success for the West Midlands will mean developing a vibrant business base, spread across our towns, cities and rural areas – providing opportunity that ensures all citizens in the region have the chance to participate in economic success.”

Cllr David Smith, Chairman West Midlands Regional Assembly said “More than any other plan produced for the region, the West Midlands spatial strategy will change the way we live for the next 20 years. 

“It addresses how we will locate centres of employment to provide jobs for the future and issues as far reaching as climate change.  It is the plan for the region that will set out the road map detailing how the region will manage growth.”

Connecting to Success – The West Midlands Economic Strategy