We aim to establish a task force and our delivery vehicle as soon as possible. We can then build our capacity as opportunities arise in the future.
Three Local Enterprise Partnerships, seven county and unitary authorities, six universities and major businesses - all working together.
Building on our outstanding natural capital and creative businesses, we have a shared desire to create a clean, digital economy and tackle climate change.
Developing forward-looking initiatives which need to be done at scale, will transcend boundaries and deliver our shared objectives.
The Great South West economy is worth £64.4 billion - almost double the size of Greater Manchester or West Midlands.
We have major strengths and expertise in marine industries, photonics, environmental science, nuclear, aerospace (fixed-wing and rotary), advanced engineering, digital innovation, tourism, agritech, and food and drink production.
We are home to the largest infrastructure project in Europe at Hinkley Point, Europe’s first horizontal launch spaceport in Cornwall and in Dorset, one of the country’s leading centres for financial services.
Our business environment attracts inward investors from across the World, largely because of our industry-leading companies, great research capacity and a network of innovative supply chain companies.
We have world class natural capital - almost 700 miles of coastline, two national parks, and dozens of designated areas - attracting more visitors than anywhere outside London.
Currently not everywhere, or everyone, is connected to these opportunities. Productivity and workforce skill levels are lower than they should be and we have concentrations of urban, rural and coastal deprivation which contribute to a widening opportunity gap.
Our population is ageing faster than the UK as a whole, with some facing poverty and ill health. We lack the key infrastructure needed for continued economic success - a resilient road and rail network, universal fast broadband and an effective energy grid. In our dispersed communities there are generally fewer services, poorer wages and a lack of affordable housing.
The Great South West partners are publishing a local growth prospectus today (Monday, January 13) that aims to deliver £45 billion of economic benefit and 190,000 new jobs over the next 15 years. The prospectus can be downloaded here:
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sajid Javid, is being urged to back the Great South West in the Budget and help kick start ambitious plans to create the UK’s first clean energy powerhouse.
This week the South Coast Marine Cluster will rebrand as part of a collaboration with Cornwall Marine Network to form Maritime UK South West, becoming part of the national body Maritime UK.
An economic roadmap to drive a £45 billion uplift to the South West economy has been formally presented to the government.
A powerful coalition of South West businesses, education leaders and local authorities has pledged to work in partnership with Government to make the Great South West the latest growth alliance to rebalance the UK economy.
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