Black Country Chamber of Commerce welcomes new West Midlands Growth Plan

“We welcome the mayor’s new West Midlands Growth Plan and believe the Black Country and our fantastic businesses will play a key role in shaping and driving the five key industries central to the strategy.

Many of our members are already heavily involved in advanced manufacturing, clean technology, health and medical technologies, digital/creative sectors and professional and financial services and a long-term approach to maximising the opportunities here should be applauded.

One of my main ambitions is to make sure we commercialise more of the new technologies we come up with in our region. Too often we generate the clever ideas and concepts yet see them brought to market by international companies. This has to change, and we will be fighting to ensure this plan addresses this.

Successful businesses drive the economy and, as such, should be the government’s best friend. It doesn’t always feel that way! However, it’s a massive positive that Labour is transferring more power, resources and responsibilities to the region’s local leaders and we look forward to having an even stronger relationship with the mayor who understands and backs the economic landscape.

Businesses want fairness and consistency. It’s that straightforward and that will always be our ask. We understand that global influences will always impact on businesses, and we will always be responsive and flexible. 

Closer to home, where we do have some control, companies want to feel listened to and they want some long-term assurances that government won’t endlessly change the rules that will impact on how they operate and their future plans.

Chamber members tell us that they want actions not words and that we need to work together, in partnership with one another and with regional and national government, to make things happen at pace. And pace being the operative word!”