West Midlands calls for double devolution to unlock whole system levelling up
Encouraging more people onto public transport and devolution feature heavily in the West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) far-reaching levelling up blueprint launched at the recent Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham.
The Levelling Up Growth Prospectus sets out the tools needed to accelerate levelling up and “forge a West Midlands fit for the future, a region that is at the vanguard of the fight against climate change, tackles health and wealth inequalities and unlocks greater opportunities for all parts of society.”
The Prospectus calls for greater powers and more flexibility over funding and investment so the region can deliver the transport and digital connections that businesses and communities need to prosper and thrive; build sustainable and affordable homes at scale and pace; and provide additional support for high growth West Midlands sectors such as green energy, electric car manufacture and low carbon, modular homes.
The blueprint, says WMCA, serves as long term vision for the West Midlands and sets out how the region can accelerate and expand its existing levelling up programme with:
New ways to encourage people onto public transport through mobility credit schemes, new e-mobility powers, and a dynamic role in Great British Railways
Powers to help key growth sectors for the region flourish and drive innovation in low carbon businesses such as electric car manufacturing; battery production; low carbon, modular homes; and utilities such as wind and solar power.
Greater control and influence over investment in the region’s energy system so it is more resilient to price hike shockwaves and able to speed up the decarbonisation of infrastructure and industry.
More flexible funding to build affordable, zero carbon homes and unlock stalled investment through new Investment Zones.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA Chair, said, “Levelling Up remains mission critical for our region and indeed the whole country. As we seek to supercharge our economic recovery, we must embrace the coming green industrial revolution and draw in private sector investment in order to bounce back.
“We have already made great strides here in the West Midlands - developing our public transport system, upskilling local residents, building thousands of new homes and unlocking hundreds of acres of derelict industrial land for development. We continue to rise to our net zero commitment.
“But to build on this progress, we need the Government to give us the tools to go further and faster. This Prospectus sets out what we need to tackle the challenges we face in the weeks, months and years ahead.
Cllr Brigid Jones, WMCA portfolio lead for levelling up and deputy leader of Birmingham City Council, added, “We are facing a cost-of-living crisis, but this Prospectus isn’t just about tackling the challenges of today - it’s also about our shared hopes for the future. We want the West Midlands to be the home of a new, green industrial revolution. This document calls upon government to match our ambitions with their support, with proposals around local area energy systems to help reduce energy bills and support for innovation in areas such as battery technology.
“The Government must lay solid foundations for real recovery with sustainable and fair funding for local government. Through “double devolution” we can unlock a whole system approach to level up the nation. This Prospectus is a blueprint for how to do that.”