Blog: Sir John Peace speaking in Midlands Matters, Edition 17

In the latest edition of Midlands Matters, the partnership newsletter of the Midlands Engine, our chairman Sir John Peace discusses launching the Ten Point Plan for Green Growth in the Midlands Engine, our new Midlands Engine Makes publication and much more.

A few weeks ago, I, alongside Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government the Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, was delighted to announce the launch of the Ten Point Plan for Green Growth in the Midlands Engine – our shared vision, co-created by more than 300 partners, for a greener, cleaner and better future.

Since then, a copy of the Plan has been sent to all Midlands MPs and was championed two weeks ago in the House of Commons by Dr Luke Evans, MP for Hinkley & Bosworth, at the Government launch of its decarbonising transport plan, which is of huge significance to our region.

Home of the UK automotive industry, the Midlands is in the vanguard of low carbon transport innovation, including battery electric vehicles and fuel cell technology.

The Midlands also sees the highest amount of road freight in the UK, 45% of rail freight and 30% of lorry freight.

In fact, our national leadership in freight and logistics, and the pioneering role we are playing in decarbonising heavy transport, was recognised only last week – with the announcement that we have secured Innovate UK funding for a hydrogen-fuel-cell freight demonstrator programme.

This funding award is a real sign of increasing confidence in the Midlands, and an opportunity to accelerate our ambitions to take a leading role in the shift to zero emission public, private and industrial vehicles.

Also this month, we are shining a spotlight on our region’s dynamic manufacturing sector.

The Midlands accounts for 22% of all England’s exports and generates £239 billion for the UK economy with the majority of that coming from the manufacturing sector.

Our region was the original global manufacturing pioneer and as our new ‘Midlands Engine Makes’ publication shows, we continue to lead the world through our innovative responses in the fields of advanced manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, MedTech, food and drink, ‘green making’ – and much more.

I must also mention the recent launch of our Observatory Intelligence Hub; a unique, pan regional tool that promises to put the power of data and research at the fingertips of Midlands Engine partners from right across our region.

And finally, as we enter the parliamentary recess, I would like to wish you all a relaxing and healthy summer.

For the latest on our region, subscribe to Midlands Matters, the official newsletter of the Midlands Engine.