The nation’s leading business group has today launched its Cambridge and Peterborough Revival Plan, a blueprint for the region’s future which urges the winner of May 6’s ballot to champion the area’s unique strengths.
Championing a resilient and prosperous recovery will be the immediate priority, but longer-term challenges include attracting fresh inward investment and driving improvement in physical infrastructure and digital connectivity. There is also a need to combat long-standing inequalities in education attainment and income evident in a regional north/south divide.
Richard Tunnicliffe, CBI East of England Director, said: “The CBI has already seen what mayors can do when acting as a force for good, using their powers to deliver shared prosperity and championing their region, both nationally and internationally.
“Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is already an internationally competitive region, with comparative advantages and dynamism in the industries located here and there is great potential for the future which the newly-elected mayor must capitalise on.
“The mayor must set not only a clear economic vision but also a bold vision of the green potential and future of the region, whether that is for infrastructure, employment, housing, education, technology or natural capital.
“This vision can not only steer the region through a post-pandemic recovery, but lay the foundations for a stronger, greener and more inclusive economy in the years ahead.”
The CBI’s manifesto has identified three key principles and a series of recommendations which outline how businesses and the newly-elected mayor can work in tandem to drive recovery.
1) Champion regional dynamism and global competitiveness to raise living standards.
- Turbocharge recovery planning with focus on dynamic business support, skills, digital connectivity and physical infrastructure.
- Promote export as a key component of recovery and prosperity, utilising existing strengths and championing growth opportunities.
- Raise the region’s international profile to attract inward investment and reinforce its worldwide reputation as a destination for international students.
2) Transform digital and physical infrastructure on the race to net zero.
- Ensure the region plays its part in meeting carbon reduction ambitions by focusing on a green recovery and evolving towns and cities.
- Champion a long-term regeneration ambition to improve living standards and green job opportunities to address pockets of inequality.
- Unite and lead stakeholders – including business, neighbouring authorities and the Oxford-Cambridge Arc – on infrastructure, strengthening digital connectivity and transport links, and improving housing.
3) Stimulate job creation and secure an inclusive future workforce.
- Use the devolved adult education budget to aid the re-training and re-skilling agenda to target skills gaps and feed green industries.
- Deliver projects that result in the creation of good jobs at pace, enabling business to attract and retain good talent.
- Champion diversity and inclusion to boost social mobility and ensure opportunity for younger generations and minority groups.
Together, the CBI believes these actions can address inequalities and equip Cambridgeshire and Peterborough with the infrastructure, talent and investment needed to thrive through post-pandemic recovery and beyond.