If you live in London, you probably wonder why we need an Industrial Strategy. We effectively have an economy that concentrates growth in the south while other regions here are the first to feel the effects of the recession. The reality is, however, there are certain deep problems in the British economy. Production is low and manufacturing weak. Skill levels are well behind our European competitors.
Among other questions, Brexit poses a choice. We could go down the road of the Pacific Rim countries – deregulate and cut wages in order to produce goods at a cheaper price than our competitors. I get the feeling that some of those who advocated Brexit want to go at least some way along this route.
The alternative is to compete on quality and high value goods and is the only real possibility that maintains living standards and the welfare state.
For councils the publication of the Governments Industrial Strategy marks a real opportunity working with the Government to create innovation and improve productivity and is something that we as councils need to see as part of the day job.
The Regional Development Agencies, particularly in the north, offered at least an attempt to address regional inequality and imbalances in the economy. That approach needs to be strengthened with councils being seen as full partners in implementing the Industrial Strategy.
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority has called for all Post-16 skills and careers advice to be commissioned between the authority and central government so that expenditure can be linked to the Government's Industrial Strategy and the needs of the region.
The clear encouragement in the Government's Industrial Strategy to link innovation industry needs to be supported by councils.
We are in a position to bring together industries with HE and FE to collaborate on projects to increase the prosperity of our areas. Surely government could commit funds to support those initiatives.
Upgrading our infrastructure also needs to be a key priority.
The Government is prepared to commit massive expenditure on Cross Rail 2 while other proposals remain a pipe dream.
Recently I held a meeting in Salford in which representatives from Wiltshire and Sheffield attended, while those coming from Wiltshire had no problem in getting to Salford it represented a major trek for those from Sheffield.
Transpenine links are a disgrace with the Government yet again delaying the electrification projects in order to fund Cross Rail 2 and the M62 in a state of being permanently upgraded with restricted speed limits.
All this represents a challenge not just to those areas falling behind in performance but also a significant problem for those areas where development is being over concentrated.
Inevitably it places stress and strains on the local environment, education facilities and local infrastructure. A more even spread of development would help the quality of life of not just those areas that are suffering at the moment but also those that are suffering the effects of overdevelopment.
To their credit, central government recognises this and has referred to it in their Industrial Strategy. However, there still appears to be those who are advocating laissez faire. When I look at the attitude of continental government of all political persuasion they all don't hesitate to intervene to deal with the failings of their Industrial Strategy. I believe investment in a few key principles working in partnership with local councils would yield enormous results both for the prosperity of the county and for the local area.
Of course this represents a challenge for councils as well as central government and there will be some that don't necessarily want to take advantage of this but those of us who do, and they include councils right across the spectrum, should not be held back and should be given opportunities to contribute to the economy.
John Merry is deputy mayor of Salford City Council
