Mapping out ambitions to address regional inequalities across the UK, last week's Levelling-Up White Paper marked a significant milestone for regional economic development. Through the paper, Government recognised the value that local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) like ours have delivered for businesses and the economy to date and crucially, reaffirmed the importance of public-private partnership and the voice of business as integral in supporting local businesses and economies. 

In Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, we see this evolution as an opportunity to press ahead with refreshed determination and a renewed focus on our future role, bringing value to local businesses and the economy and working with Government to deliver maximum impact. We are taking some time to consider the paper in depth, but we know that devolution works, and our track record only proves the value we can deliver locally. For example, as well as supporting businesses through a second pandemic year, last year Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire LEP celebrated ten years as a successful public-private partnership that has unlocked over £1bn worth of investment for our region's prosperity. The opening of the Stafford Western Access Route was another significant example of how the LEP is creating the economic conditions for growth locally. And all of this is in addition to securing over £335m of Government investment for businesses and communities throughout Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire over the last ten years.