By Beverly Rademacher

Copyright expressandstar

Accompanied by MPs, ministers, local politicians and local businesses, Richard Parker hosted an event in Parliament on Monday September 15 designed to put the West Midlands at the forefront of Government thinking.

The new Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Peter Kyle, joined the event to underline the importance of national priorities working hand in hand with local plans – and to give the plan Government backing.

The Mayor was also joined by members of his taskforces – the groups set up by the Mayor to help guide policy and actions that tackle some of the region’s biggest challenges and deliver the Mayor’s key priorities.

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “We’re here to shout about the West Midlands and make sure that Government and business see the scale of our ambition. The Growth Plan is rooted in the strengths of our region – from advanced manufacturing and health tech to the creative industries and clean energy. Built with business, backed by government and designed for delivery. But it will only succeed if national priorities and local action come together.

“I came to Westminster to make the case that our region is ready to deliver growth, create good jobs and tackle the inequalities that hold too many people back. The West Midlands will not be an afterthought – we’ll be at the forefront of Britain’s future economy.”

Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, said: “I’ve only been in post a short time, but Richard has already made sure the voice of the West Midlands is loud and clear in Westminster. I was delighted to stand alongside him and regional leaders in Parliament, making the case for jobs, investment and opportunity in this region.

“The change people expect will only happen if we work together – Government and Mayors side by side – to deliver for communities across the country.”

Sarah Coombes, MP for West Bromwich, described Monday’s event as “fantastic” and said the Mayor has “shown real leadership in bringing our region’s priorities to Westminster” and she added: “The Black Country has the skills, the history and the determination to be at the heart of the West Midlands Growth Plan and the UK Industrial Strategy. From advanced manufacturing to new green industries, this is about building on our strengths and creating the jobs of the future right here.”

The Growth Plan sets out flagship projects for the region including the Wolverhampton Green Innovation Corridor, to support the growth of new green industries, and the Metro extension connecting Sandwell and Dudley in the Black Country and the Sports Quarter and Birmingham Knowledge Quarter in Birmingham city centre.

Richard Parker added: “These are not just ideas on paper – they’re projects that can deliver for people right now. But they need the right backing and the right partnerships. That is why I am in Westminster, making the case for the West Midlands at the very heart of Government.”

The West Midlands Growth Plan aims to put £8,600 more in each worker’s pocket, to reduce economic inactivity with 93,000 more people in work, to grow the region’s economy by £17.4billion, create more prosperous and resilient places by delivering towards 12,200 homes per year and to achieve carbon neutral status by 2041.