WE LEP ‘strategic economic plan’ aims to create 25,500 new jobs

A new business development master plan could see up to 25,500 new jobs being created across the South West of England, the organization supporting this ambitious enterprise has claimed.

The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (WE LEP) developed its ‘strategic economic plan’ in collaboration with its network of 800 businesses, four unitary authorities, five further education colleges and four universities, a news source can reveal.

This plan will be used both for attracting private investment to the South West area and as the major driver of a bid for a share of the government’s £2bn-per-year Local Growth Fund.

The strategic economic plan sets out five priority growth sectors, including creative and digital; low carbon; high-tech industries; advanced engineering and aerospace; and professional services.

Moreover, the strategy proposes to focus resources on seven priority growth locations, namely: the Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone, the Avonmouth/Severnside Enterprise Area; the J21 Enterprise Area; the Filton Enterprise Area; the Emersons Green Enterprise Area; the Bath City Riverside Enterprise Area; and south Bristol.

The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (WE LEP) also identifies 122 interventions to address market failures, including projects to exploit new technologies in robotics, quantum computing and renewable energy.

Mr. Colin Skellett, chairman of the West WE LEP, commented on the plan’s launch: "Our economic plan develops our unique strengths. It is ambitious yet deliverable, and builds on our successes to ensure we generate the greatest return on investment for a combination of public and private sector organisations, who are being encouraged to invest.

“The results will be seen nationally and internationally."