The head of one of the 海角视频鈥檚 biggest business organisations has said 2020 should mark a 鈥渄ecade of delivery鈥 for the South West.
CBI Director General Dame Carolyn Fairbairn has called for a cabinet minister to champion the region in government, saying the West of England can stand 鈥渟houlder to shoulder鈥 with the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine.
She says a ministerial champion could help "prioritise progress" on local industrial strategies and plans for further devolution.
鈥淲e believe it鈥檚 time that the government gave the South West its own ministerial champion with a seat in cabinet, alongside the existing ministers for the Midlands Engine and Northern Powerhouse," she said.
鈥淕iving local leaders greater clarity on the power and resources available [will] help the region thrive.鈥
However, Ms Fairbairn says a 鈥渂etter connected, more resilient鈥 transport network is important for the growth of the South West.
She believes the region needs to focus on upgrades on the M5, ease congestion on the A303, improve public transport in rural areas, create better links to Bristol Airport and, in future, consider rolling out charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and smart roads.
鈥淲e welcome the chancellor鈥檚 recent commitment to boost infrastructure investment,鈥 she said. 鈥淣ow, we must ensure the South West gets the funding it needs, to deliver these improvements.鈥
Ms Fairbairn also urged the government to clarify its plans for immigration reform, which could impact the region.
She said: 鈥淲ith an ageing population and the country鈥檚 highest employment rate, many businesses here already struggle to fill vacancies, relying on people from around the world to help produce our food, care for us when we鈥檙e older, design and build our homes, and bring new ideas into our industries.
鈥淲ithout detailed plans from government, firms are worried about what the new system, the biggest change to 海角视频 immigration in almost thirty years, will mean for their workforce."
She added: 鈥淎s a country, we need to get these changes right 鈥 first time.鈥
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