Stockport’s Leaders have hailed Greater Manchester’s ambitious Local Industrial Strategy as representing a ‘step change for Stockport’, which can help render Stockport and the City Region ‘fit for the 21st century’.
The document sets out plans for with world class skills, productivity, digital economy and ambitious environmental targets to be met across GM.
As part of the Strategy, the UK’s first city-region Clean Growth Mission to achieve carbon neutral living in Greater Manchester has been launched. The city-region’s bold 2038 target is 12 years ahead of the national ambition.
The documents show significant areas where Stockport can capitalise on this transformative agenda – and areas where Stockport is already ahead of the game.
The recent Independent Prosperity Review identifies Stockport as displaying ‘comparative advantage’ in its industry mix, as businesses take advantage of Stockport’s’ unrivalled connectivity with the motorway and rail links.
The Review identifies key opportunity areas for Stockport, including location of head offices opportunities, management consulting, software publishing and alongside pre-primary education, landscape services, and residential care.
Commenting, Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration, Cllr David Meller said:
“This Industrial Strategy shows how Greater Manchester can take advantage of the opportunities on the horizon, from developing graphene, to developing our creative industries.
“This approach backs up the direction Stockport has taken over recent years, focussing on inclusive growth, building capacity for new industries through Stockport Exchange, modernising connectivity through the Transport Interchange and encouraging digital business through Stockport Business and Innovation Centre.
“But there is more to do. This strategy offers a glimpse of the potential we must realise for Stockport in the 21st Century, and how we can get there working with partners across Greater Manchester. “
Stockport’s Labour Leader, and nominee for the GM Digital City Region portfolio, Cllr Elise Wilson added:
“This Strategy represents a step change in the ability of this city region to deliver on inclusive growth, skills, digital and green ambitions.
“Stockport is already in strong position to benefit from the ‘fourth industrial revolution’ and this Strategy identifies a route map to make the most of our existing advantages for the future.”
ENDS
NOTES
The Local Industrial Strategy docuiments are available here https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/808579/greater-manchester-local-industrial-strategy-single-page.pdf
Further detail is available from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority news pages here: https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/news/government-backs-greater-manchester-s-accelerated-plans-for-carbon-neutral-living-by-2038/