A task force is being launched in the West of England to help kick-start the region's economic recovery following the coronavirus pandemic.
The West of England Economic Recovery Board is an initiative being led by regional metro mayor Tim Bowles and involving the West of England Combined Authority (Weca), the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), businesses, universities and councils.
The panel is putting together a plan for the region to support companies and residents.
“Coronavirus is having a profound impact on all parts of our economy,” said Tim. “The government has taken unprecedented steps to provide a lifeline to many of our businesses and residents, but now we need to build on this with a specific West of England recovery plan.”
The task force will initially:
Create a plan that includes measures to help businesses adapt to the new economic landscape and improve resilience, as well as support for residents to develop new skills, training and employment opportunities;
Look at the impact of the government’s economic measures on businesses and communities, identifying where additional support is needed;
Feedback to government, lobbying to ensure the West of England has what it needs for economic recovery; advising and supporting a managed exit from lockdown arrangements, identifying the next stages of financial support needed;
Make sure the West of England has the right public transport, physical and digital infrastructure including continued work with public transport partners to make sure they continue to operate as the 海角视频 moves into recovery.
A number of sector and themed groups will also be set up to help shape recovery.
This will initially include: creative and digital; aerospace and advanced engineering; professional services; retail, hospitality and tourism; food and drink; transport and logistics; voluntary, community and social enterprise; commercial property market; black and minority ethnic businesses and communities; rural economy; low carbon.
Tim said: “This new task force will mean our region can work together to put in place the measures we need to support our residents and businesses for the medium and long-term.
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“That way, rather than just getting back on our feet, we’ll be able to emerge stronger than before.
“This new group will bring partners together to make sure the West of England speaks to Government with one voice, to ensure our region’s needs are heard nationally.”
Professor Steve West, chair of the West of England LEP, added: “We must work together to ensure that we rebuild on the strengths of our economy.
“As one of the most productive regions in the 海角视频, the West of England is key to leading the national recovery.
“We remain focused on our longer-term ambitions for clean growth that benefits every resident, as set out in our region’s Local Industrial Strategy, but we have to consider carefully what else we have to do to rebuild our region, which is why the new task force will look at some specific sectors too.”
The region's existing Covid-19 Business Response Panel will also play a role in the new initiative.
Organisations already involved include: Business West, Federation of Small Businesses, Destination Bristol & Visit Bath, British Business Bank, Confederation of British Industry, Institute of Directors, Lloyds, Barclays, NatWest, and HSBC.