GMCA Economy lead Cllr Elise Wilson responds to the Levelling Up White Paper

Cllr Elise Wilson, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) portfolio lead for Economy, called on the Government to back its commitments made in the Levelling Up White Paper with adequate funding. 

The full Levelling Up White Paper is available to read here. 

Cllr Elise Wilson, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) portfolio lead for Economy, said: “There’s plenty to be encouraged by in today’s announcements. Many of the proposals, like deepening devolution, are things we’ve been calling for in Greater Manchester for a long time.

“For us, levelling up isn’t a new concept. Through initiatives like our Good Employment Charter, leadership training for our thousands of SMEs, or helping manufacturers adopt the latest technologies, we’re already on with the job of spreading prosperity and opportunity.

“The announcement of an Innovation Accelerator for Greater Manchester is welcome news, as is the commitment to increasing public R&D spending beyond the South East. Through Innovation Greater Manchester we’ve been making the case for the right powers and funding to deliver an innovation ecosystem.

“The concern is that some of the other new commitments aren’t matched by new funding. The Government must understand that its levelling up missions will be impossible without adequate financial support. We want levelling up to succeed and, if given the right backing, we’re ready to help make it happen.”

Article Published: 03/02/2022 09:25 AM