Reacting to news of the launch of the Government’s Industrial Strategy, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:
“An industrial strategy is a key plank of the UK’s growth agenda; it is vital in securing the long-term stability that businesses need to plan ahead and invest.
“But it must deliver on that promise, and it needs to set out clearly how we will leverage the country’s competitive advantage. Alongside the key growth sectors of the economy, it must also integrate each region’s strengths into the plan.
“We need to send a message to the world that the UK is the best place to start, grow and invest in business, and create a new ‘Brand Britain 2.0’ that builds on the past but looks to the future.
“This means putting green and digital innovation at the heart of what we do, investing in infrastructure and skills, removing barriers to investment and putting more energy and resources into exporting. The more we sell to the world, the stronger our economy will be.
“Establishing a new supply chain taskforce, to increase resilience is also essential. The pandemic, war in Ukraine, and the Middle East crisis, have all highlighted the UK’s deep connectivity with global markets for energy, medicines, communications technology and manufacturing components.” 7
Miranda Barker OBE, CEO at East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, added:
“I echo Shevaun’s words. Our industrial strategy must have high ambition, but must also be focused on real economic achievement – translating into aspirational but also firm targets at a regional level, for economic growth, skills and inward investment benefit.”