Midlands Engine Business Council puts our region firmly on the UK Treasury’s map

The Midlands Engine Business Council today (23 March) welcomed the chance to discuss the recent Budget with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP.

Co-chaired by Midlands Engine Champion The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP and Midlands Engine Chairman Sir John Peace, the meeting of the Business Council was attended by around 30 top leaders from across the region.

The discussion covered a wide range of topics, from supporting the construction and aviation sectors which have been so badly hit by the pandemic, to the importance of continuing youth employment schemes, capitalising on our region’s leadership in health and life sciences, and supporting cultural events, entertainment and exhibitions through covid-19.

The need to move at pace to secure the Midlands’ advantage in the field of decarbonisation and to enable growth and innovation in our region’s dynamic SMEs were also on the agenda.

Sir John Peace said:

This afternoon’s discussion was a fantastic opportunity to highlight the many, wide-ranging economic strengths of our region directly to the Chancellor and Secretary of State. In conversation, our Midlands Engine Business Council members highlighted our potential for growth, with support needed for our region’s SMEs in particular.

Recovery and future growth will result only from co-investment between Government, the public sector and private sector firms. Together, working in partnership, we can realise the true potential of our region and recover with pace – bringing greater prosperity to every part of the Midlands.

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