A LOCAL MP has described the government’s new 10-year plan to tackle barriers faced by businesses as ‘a game-changer’.
The Labour administration in Westminster has just unveiled what it describes as the UK’s ‘Modern Industrial Strategy’.
According to the government, the plan aims to address the barriers “holding back British businesses” and “unlock investment across the country”.
As part of the announcement, energy costs will be slashed by 25 per cent for eligible manufacturers, which the government says will bring prices in line with Europe and accelerate grid connections through the new Energy Price Relief Scheme.
The strategy will focus on eight key growth sectors – including advanced manufacturing – which the government says will support 335,000 jobs in the North West.
Other points included in the plan are spending an extra £1.2bn a year on improving UK workers’ skills by 2028-29; attracting “elite global talent” with visa and migration reforms; hiring more planners and streamlining application processes; and boosting research and development spending to £22.6bn a year by 2029-30, including £2bn for artificial intelligence (AI).
‘Making it easier for all businesses to thrive’
Andrew Gwynne – who now sits as an independent MP after being suspended by the Labour Party in February over a string of abusive and offensive WhatsApp comments – has backed the plans to make a difference to businesses in his constituency.
“This is a game-changer for Gorton and Denton,” he said. “By cutting energy costs and unlocking investment, this strategy will help local businesses grow, create high-quality jobs, and boost our economy.”
“This means manufacturers in Manchester can expand operations, and new investment in advanced manufacturing will bring opportunities for young people and skilled workers alike.”
“Denton is home to a Wienerberger brick factory. Brick manufacturing is an energy intensive process, but Wienerberger is leading the drive towards low-emissions manufacturing. The announcement on electricity price reductions will supercharge this transition to sustainability and protect jobs within the constituency.”
“The Strategy builds on the Spending Review and Infrastructure Plan, targeting support where it’s needed most and making it easier for all businesses to thrive. It aims to double business investment in growth sectors to £240bn annually by 2035.”
Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds has been instrumental in the formulation of the strategy in his role as Business and Trade Secretary.
“We’ve said from day one, Britain is back in business under this government and our Plan for Change is already delivering for working people,” he said.
“This strategy will ensure the UK is the best place to invest and do business, delivering growth that puts more money in people’s pockets and pays for our NHS, schools and military.”
‘Looks like another missed opportunity’
However, although the manufacturing industry and the Trades Union Congress have broadly welcomed the action, not all businesses are happy with the proposed plans.
The chief executive of UKHospitality, Kate Nicholls, said the hospitality industry was “disappointed”, adding: “How can national renewal be properly delivered if 70 per cent of the economy is excluded from the government’s flagship plan for growth?”
Acting Shadow Energy Secretary Andrew Bowie says the UK needs a “serious approach to energy policy” that “tackles the root cause of our high energy prices”.
Sarah Olney, who speaks for the Liberal Democrats on business, said government plans “must contain real solutions to bring down businesses’ sky-high energy costs and upskill workers around the country”.
The co-leader of the Green Party, Carla Denyer, said the strategy “looks like another missed opportunity from the Labour government”, adding the “failure to make a plan for those currently working in high-carbon industries is short-sighted”.