Budget response from the LEP

Responding to the Budget delivered by the Chancellor on March 11, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP chairman Alun Rogers said:

We welcome the commitments set out in today’s Budget for major investment in both digital and transport infrastructure in addition to housing which all chime with our Local Industrial Strategy as it moves into its delivery stage.

While limited, the proposed Local Growth Funds extension is good news. Our board will continue to work hard for more investment against the economic priorities of our business community.

I am particularly pleased to see government recognition and commitment to the work of our excellent Business Growth Hub which provides advice and support to businesses on a range of current business needs.

Confirmation of Stoke-on-Trent’s Transforming Cities Fund is great news for the city and wider LEP area and, while we await detail, I am encouraged to see a commitment to capital funding for our further education colleges.

The global challenge presented by the coronavirus outbreak has seen some measures put in place through additional funding and beyond that by reducing business rates to those in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors. We will ensure these details are available to our business base.”