Following on from the Conservative Government’s levelling up manifesto promise from 2019, the government have this week finally unveiled their plans.

The strategy, presented by Levelling Up Secretary, Michael Gove, will take until 2030 to deliver its objectives which include improving services such as education, broadband and transport. Mr Gove said it would “shift both money and power into the hands of working people”.

I spoke at a Levelling Up event hosted by The Institute for Government earlier this week, at which the main discussion was around how the private sector can get involved with this ambitious project. Government is, as we know, short of cash and will therefore, be looking to the private sector to support the agenda. As there is such an emphasis on social improvements, there was also an emphasis on the role of social investment in improving ‘left-behind’ areas.

You can watch a video of the event where I spoke alongside Kevin Hollinrake MP, Stephen Muer and John Wrathmell, below.

The Government has previously launched several schemes aimed at boosting regional development and Mr Gove’s plans would bring all existing initiatives together into 12 “national missions” and set up a system for measuring progress. Among the 12 missions are promises to refocus education spending on disadvantaged parts of the country and eliminate illiteracy and innumeracy; bring the rest of the country’s public transport closer to London standards, and provide access to 5G broadband for the “large majority” of households. Derelict urban sites in 20 towns and cities will be targeted for redevelopment intended to create more high-quality jobs. The first places to be selected for this development are Wolverhampton and Sheffield.

The 12 levelling up missions are:

• Increase pay, employment and productivity in all areas of the UK, with each one containing a “globally competitive city”
• Raise public investment in research and development outside the south-east of England by 40 percent
• Eliminate illiteracy and innumeracy by refocusing education spending on the most disadvantaged parts of the country
• Increase the number of people completing high quality skills training – in England, this will mean 200,000 more people a year
• Bring the rest of the country’s public transport “significantly closer” to London standards
• Provide access to gigabit-capable broadband nationwide by 2030 and 5G mobile data coverage for the “large majority” of households
• Create more first-time homebuyers in all areas, and reduce the number of “non-decent rented homes” by 50 percent
• Narrow the gap of healthy life expectancy between the areas where it is lowest and highest
• Improve “well-being” in every area of the UK
• Increase “pride of place”, such as people’s satisfaction with their town centre and engagement in local culture and community
• Reduce murder, manslaughter, serious violence and neighbourhood crime, especially in the worst-affected areas
• Give every part of England that wants it a devolution deal with more regional powers and simplified, long-term funding

The danger for areas such as Staffordshire is that we fall between major regional conurbations such as the West Midlands and Greater Manchester. It will take more than a few million pounds for example to make Staffordshire’s beleaguered public transport infrastructure ‘significantly closer’ to London standards although there is money promised to Stoke-on-Trent to do this. We will be working tirelessly to ensure that Staffordshire receives full advantage from the levelling up strategy. Working across all sectors with a coordinated approach and urging our MPs to ensure our voice is heard in Westminster and that government takes the necessary action to unlock private and social investment.

It is a time for us all to step up and show leadership to really make sure that Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire levels up and that others recognise our potential and that, in particular, businesses here have so much to offer in providing prosperity and opportunities for everyone here.

In the meantime, if you have any concerns or issues around the subject, please contact Rhouda Elalfy at the Chamber rhouda.elafy@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

If you want to talk to us about any business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

A new milestone has been hit in our Virtual Members’ Lounge this week as the 100th tendering opportunity was shared with our members.

Various tendering and procurement opportunities are shared in the VML, including accountancy support, building tending opportunities and company transformation projects.

Alison Landon-Gallimore, sustainability and procurement advisor, said: “There’s some fantastic opportunities for businesses in the area to supply to both local and national projects and initiatives.

“In my role at the Chamber, I’m able to support our members with suitable opportunities and advise them on what contracts are coming up in their sector.

“Please don’t hesitate to contact me for more information about any of the opportunities on our website by emailing alison.landon-gallimore@staffordshirechambers.co.uk.

The VML area is available exclusively to Chamber members, and includes exciting opportunities on the Commonwealth Games and HS2, with the latter on track to release 250 packages of work in the next 18 months, each valued between £4,000 and £158m.

If you’ve not yet signed up to the VML, you can do so, here.

Remember to introduce your business on the ‘introduction’ area – it means that we can tag you in suitable opportunities!

Starting today, the Department for International Trade are hosting the UK’s first ever International Trade week, with the aims of helping businesses learn more about selling globally. The events, which will take place virtually and in-person, will allow businesses to connect with trade industry experts as well as promote the departments new ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ campaign.

The campaign will help promote the opportunity to either start exporting for the first time or expand existing exports.

Mike Freer MP and Minister for Exports, said: “The events will help more businesses across the UK start exporting so they can seize the wins on offer in the world’s fastest-growing markets.

“Exporting is crucial to the government’s plans to level up and build back better, and this week of events is a great opportunity for businesses to get involved, share advice and learn from the experts.”

Sara Williams, CEO of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “It’s great to see a series of events like these organised by DIT take place. A wide variety of events have been organised ranging from creating market entry strategies for the Asia-Pacific region, to sessions on export finance and what Trade Agreements mean for UK businesses.

“I encourage businesses of all sizes to participate and attend the events taking place across the week. This is a great opportunity, especially for businesses that are considering exporting for the first time and are looking for new opportunities to grow and thrive. It is crucial that SME’s have the support and information they need to become successful exporters as part of the government’s global Britain and levelling up ambitions.”

Businesses who are interested in exporting or maximising their growth via exporting are encouraged to take part in the week by joining the events best tailored to their interests. You can find out more about the series of events taking place and register to attend by visiting https://bit.ly/3qEDJvy.

The Department of International Trade based at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce can also provide dedicated support and services for exporters as well as providing assistance with export and import documentation. If you would like to speak to a member of our international trade team, call 01782 224405.