Skills and Infrastructure are Paramount to Gloucestershire’s Growth

I don’t think it can be argued that the King’s Speech did not set out a bold vision for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

That’s our view at Business West. It is not a political statement. It seems to us to simply highlight the key areas we have been urging on the new government.

One of those key areas we have been highlighting for action has been the real lack of investment in our industry plus the urgent need for high quality infrastructure and skills.

And two of those key issues in Gloucestershire are housing and transport.

In my view in Gloucestershire, the building of more new homes and the provision of additional social housing is perhaps our key issue.

Put very simply, I do not believe Gloucestershire can achieve sustained economic growth unless the county can deliver a realistic homes plan.

We will increasingly need to attract and retain workers, particularly young people, with the  skills that makes Gloucestershire competitive for business.

For companies to develop here and boost our local economy, it is not about growing faster than other counties.

It is about being competitive in a rapidly changing employment market.

This is a market where young people have a wide range of jobs on offer and are often tempted to move away for the big city offer.

So, more available homes to rent or buy are an essential part of our route to economic  growth. 

In a county where we have six district councils and a county council, the challenge to build more homes-primarily affordable-is very much dependent on planning.

And our new government, of course, has made planning for growth one of its cornerstone policies with something of a revolution in the planning process.

Coupled with that, we are promised that some areas of the so-called green belt might be built on. I have long believed that certain areas of green belt need re-classification to allow building.

Planning, to put it mildly, has been in a mess for a long time. Our councils here have recently made progress and now, with the new government’s commitment, we must grasp the nettle while there is a national momentum behind it.