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Localis response to the Government’s new green paper ‘A modern Industrial Strategy’

Welcoming the Prime Minister’s release of the government’s new green paper ‘A modern Industrial Strategy’ Localis think tank Chief Executive, Liam Booth-Smith, said:

“The focus on skills and technical education is welcome but this is only one part of what a modern industrial strategy needs. The UK requires a blend of transport, education, tax and immigration reform if it is to flourish post-Brexit.

All of this must be underpinned by local leadership. Business Secretary Greg Clark has already said that for an industrial strategy to be successful it must be led locally. The Prime Minister should use the opportunity created by the green paper to plan a new Industrial Compact, a contract with those places in the UK with highest economic potential, to give new powers to city and regional leaders to ensure they can deliver on her vision.

Such a move would be the largest single transfer of power since the first meeting of the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood in 1999. Localis will be advocating for such a move in our forthcoming major research report ‘The Making of an Industrial Strategy’”

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  1. Localis is an independent think-tank dedicated to issues related to politics, public service reform and localism. Since our formation we have produced influential research on a variety of issues including housing, local government finance and health and social care. We carry out innovative research, hold a calendar of events and facilitate an ever growing network of members to stimulate and challenge the current orthodoxy of the governance of the UK.
  2. Rt Hon Greg Clark MP spoke at the Institute of Directors on 27th September 2016 where he said a successful strategy would need to be led locally – https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-importance-of-industrial-strategy
  3. Localis is in the process of finishing a major new research report entitled ‘The Making of an Industrial Strategy’ which is being published in early March – advisory panel members include Rt Hon Stephen Crabb MP, Chris Leslie MP, Gerard Grech (Tech City CEX), Paul Kirby (Former Head of No10 Policy Unit), Sir Peter Hendy (Chairman Network Rail) – further advisory panel members can be found here https://www.localis.org.uk/research/industrial-strategy/