‘Open for business and ready to deliver’: New regional growth plan unveiled

STRATEGY LAUNCH: Mayor Luke Campbell

By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor

A landmark new regional economic growth strategy has been launched, setting out a clear ambition for growth.

The Local Growth Plan has been hailed as a long-term vision to unlock the region’s full economic potential by positioning Hull and East Yorkshire at the forefront of the UK’s industrial future and as a competitive investment destination.

The plan is built around four transformative ‘Big Plays’ that build on the region’s strengths – powering our industrial future, building skills and good work, connecting and enabling growth and backing local businesses.

It also identifies key investment opportunities, including the Humber Freeport sites in Hull and Goole, the major regeneration of Hull’s Western Docklands, and the development potential of Bridlington Bay.

Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority say the document provides a single, unified economic strategy covering the whole region – bringing together the strengths of the city, towns, rural communities and coastal areas under one shared mission for growth.

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At its core, the plan is focused on turning ambition into impact, while ensuring that investment translates into real opportunity for people and places across the region.

Hull and East Yorkshire Mayor Luke Campbell said: “Hull and East Yorkshire is a place that gets things done – and our Local Growth Plan sets out exactly how we’re going to grow.

“We’ve got huge strengths and some of the most untapped potential anywhere in the country. Now it’s about backing our people, supporting our industries and bringing in the investment we need to make that potential a reality.

“What matters most to me is that local people feel the benefit of all this. I want people to have the chance to build a good life for themselves and their families, right here in our region.”

The strategy – which has been produced in collaboration with numerous public and private sector organisations – identifies major opportunities linked to the Humber’s role in energy production, global trade and advanced manufacturing.

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It comes at a pivotal moment, with a growing national focus on energy security, industrial resilience and regional growth.

The strategy also aims to strengthen transport links, unlock housing and infrastructure investment, support local businesses to grow and innovate and improve pathways to training, higher skills and good jobs for residents.

The combined authority will use the plan to guide investment, partnership working and economic delivery across the region over the coming decade.

Mayor Campbell added: “My message to investors is that Hull and East Yorkshire is open for business and ready to deliver.”