Improving East Midlands infrastructure should not be dismissed says East Midlands Chamber, following measures outlined by Rachel Reeves which included “speeding up planning” and support for an advanced manufacturing and logistics park to be built at East Midlands Airport.
East Midlands Chamber Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said: “Prioritising growth is what we want to hear so I’m pleased, on one hand, that the Chancellor highlighted specific projects in the East Midlands that will help the region thrive, however, needs like the electrification of the Midland Main Line must also finally be addressed.
“On the plus side East Midlands Airport being named as a site for advanced manufacturing and logistics is welcome – that will bolster East Midlands Freeport and ultimately the whole region is set to gain through jobs and investment. Shouting the virtues of the East Midlands as a Centre of Trading Excellence is essential. While the Chancellor spoke repeatedly of an emphasis on growth and saying she was ‘shocked by how slow our planning system is’ we need to see action.
“In the East Midlands planning is painfully slow and our Manifesto for Growth clearly sets out ways to fix that, like bringing the private sector into the process. While there was reference to making export easier by alleviating congestion at ports like Dover, the sheer level of paperwork involved right now is a barrier to international trade.
“The Chancellor struck an encouraging chord in tone, but in the East Midlands we need to see the asks in our Manifesto given due priority, around investment, infrastructure, international trade and innovation, in order to get the growth we need.”
