South West leaders call for strong response to government consultation on regional partnerships
Leaders across the Great South West are urging businesses, trade bodies, civic and education organisations, investors and individuals to have their say in a vital Government consultation.
The consultation is critical to ensuring the region’s voice is heard on the national stage and in Westminster, whilst wider discussions on the future of devolution in the South West progress.
The Great South West was established by business, political and education leaders to make the case for the region - which covers Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and the Isles of Scilly - to ensure that its voice is heard in Westminster, and rival other regions which have successfully mobilised resources and promoted investment, such as the Northern Powerhouse.
Galvanised by the Western Morning News newspaper and its ‘Back the Great South West’ campaign, recognition came in 2022 with the awarding of Pan Regional Partnership (PRP) status by Government and the formation of a high-profile board, led by Karl Tucker, Chair of major Somerset business Yeo Valley Farms.
The Great South West is an £81bn economy, home to 3.2m people and over 133,000 businesses. It is one of the top 30 regions in Europe and critical to the UK’s economic security, delivering thousands of jobs and significant investment through opportunities such as at Hinkley Point C and Gravity Smart Campus in Somerset, floating offshore wind and critical minerals in Cornwall, world-leading advanced manufacturing in Plymouth, Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole, underpinned by the region’s reputation as the UK’s defence spine, and key technologies in microelectronics, photonics and satellite capabilities.
However, the Government announced in its recent Budget that it will be holding a national consultation, running for four weeks from 18 November to 16 December, on the future of PRPs such as the Great South West Partnership.
The Government is progressing plans to deliver devolution across the country, in deals which will see most areas represented by a Mayor or Combined Authority. Discussions on potential devolution arrangements in the Great South West are in their early stages and being explored by local councils, but without a PRP, the area will be without a regional voice in Westminster until then.
Karl Tucker, Chair of the Great South West Partnership, emphasised the importance of making the region’s voice heard: “This consultation is our chance to ensure a powerful, visible voice for the South West at Westminster whilst the ongoing discussions regarding further devolution in the region are completed and the ultimate structures are put in place. I urge every business, local authority, university, FE college and trade and community organisation to take part, and emphasise that there is a real risk that the South West will be left behind during this period if funding for the Great South West PRP is removed now. It is critical that we show the strength and unity of our region, and make clear that working together is the best way to drive economic growth, attract investment, and enhance infrastructure on behalf of our communities.”
Unlike many other PRPs, the Great South West Partnership was developed locally to specifically address the lack of representation with central Government.
Prof Alison Honour, Vice Chancellor at Bournemouth University and member of the Great South West Partnership Board, stressed the grassroots origins of the initiative. She said: “The Great South West was built by the region for the region, with years of momentum culminating in its formal recognition in 2022. This is a unique opportunity to keep that voice alive, and continue to advocate for the South West’s priorities in Westminster and beyond.”
David Thomas, Leader of Torbay Council and member of the Great South West Partnership Board, said: "The Great South West Partnership has been instrumental in ensuring the region’s voice is heard on the national stage. This consultation is a pivotal moment to demonstrate the importance of a unified regional voice in driving investments and infrastructure which are critical to our region, as we continue to work on our devolution options. I urge all businesses, organisations and communities to take part, and help secure our economic growth and influence.”
Mark Hewson, Imerys UK Hub Director and Great South West Partnership Board member, said: “The Great South West is unique in that we built it as a region – business leaders, universities, MPs and council leaders. Now we need to ensure the new Government understands that the voices of our region must be heard, and that our priorities, infrastructure needs, and investment potential must be fully understood and continued to be championed in Westminster.”
The Great South West Partnership is driving forward its work for the region, having just published a major Independent Economic Review demonstrating the vital role the region can play in the Government’s new Industrial Strategy, just weeks after bringing together 500 business leaders and politicians at a major conference in Exeter. The Partnership also launched its 2024 Clean Energy Prospectus at Westminster this month with Lord Hunt, Minister for Net Zero & Energy Security at the Department for Energy and Net Zero, setting out the huge opportunities around nuclear, offshore wind, geothermal and other low-carbon, renewable energies in the region which can power the rest of the UK.
The Partnership is also progressing a range of inward investment activity, hosting an event at Westminster to champion the region’s defence industries, ahead of a return to UKREiiF, the country’s largest investment summit, giving businesses and local areas the chance to progress opportunities with investors and bring high quality jobs into the region.
Karl Tucker added: “With our strengths in clean energy, defence and food security, we must continue to push that the Great South West has a vital and unique role in driving the UK economy to deliver on the Government’s missions for growth and net zero, which requires a strong and visible partnership working on the national stage.”
To have your say as part of the consultation, go to https://greatsouthwest.co.uk/government-consultation
