Eastern Powerhouse

Devo White Paper: A brave step, but not radical enough The much anticipated English #Devolution White Paper was finally published this week [n.b. 16/12/2024]. This marks a significant step toward next year’s English Devolution Bill which will deliver the new Government’s vision for decentralising power to drive economic #growth in England. As expected, the paper includes major proposals to reform local government outside of the country’s main urban areas. District and County councils face uncertainty, with encouragement to merge into unitary authorities serving over 500,000 people. Devolution will be dependent on these new unitary authorities coming together to form combined authorities with elected mayors. This could have huge implications for the East of England. Read the Full Summary and Analysis here: https://lnkd.in/en-eFYCJ

LEI Executive Director, Andy Forbes comments on today's Spring Statement by The Rt Hon Rachel Reeves: "The Chancellor’s Spring Statement confirms the previously announced cash injection to boost Construction skills - £625 million over the next four years. This includes the first tangible manifestation of The Labour Party’s manifesto pledge to launch #Technical Excellence Colleges: £100m to establish ten of these in every region of England, specialising in #Construction. Arguably the most important part of delivering all this will be the scheme announced to attract industry experts into FE, as one of the biggest obstacles colleges face is to find the right staff at the right pay levels to teach the skills so desperately needed. It’s undoubtedly good news for the #Tertiary sector, but as always, we’ll have to wait a bit longer for the details before we can fully assess how much of a difference this will make. One thing is certain: the Spring Statement is a springboard for a new generation of builders. From bricklayers to surveyors we need all we can get."

Great to see this - for #Norwich and companies such as Tropic and TraitSeq as part of Norwich Research Park - to start getting recognition in these sorts of reviews and reports. The work we are doing to raise the profile of Norwich, and the developing cluster, and increase the impact of publicly funded research, is starting to work. No longer ‘the best kept secret’. Thank you for sharing Tim Robinson worth a read- Stefan Gurney SFIPM Chris Starkie Eastern Powerhouse Eastern Promise University of East Anglia Norwich University of the Arts John Innes Centre Quadram Institute The Sainsbury Laboratory Earlham Institute Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust JOHN INNES FOUNDATION BBSRC Vengrove

Online Event | Without skills at all levels - from bricklayers and carpenters to surveyors and project managers - the plans to build more houses, reservoirs, clean energy power facilities, etc across the UK and in the East will be frustrated, and the Government’s ambitions for growth will be hindered. What needs to be done to ensure we have the workforce to deliver? Join the discussion with Victoria Anthony FCIPD, FIRP (Hill Group UK), Stephen Drury (Carter Jonas), Phil Stittle (Eastern Education Group), and @Mark Tree (Anglia Ruskin University)

A Moment of Opportunity… If Seized - Steven Lynch MBE "From my perspective it’s very clear that the East of England stands at the precipice of a seismic shift. Devolution is no longer a distant political theory or abstract concept, but a tangible force that can shape the region's economic future. With the recent announcement of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayoral election and now as Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex gear up for their own devolved deals, the question is no longer "if" but "how" this transformation will impact businesses, infrastructure, and local governance. The Powerhouse has consistently argued for further devolution and local government reform. Devolution has the potential to accelerate positive change in the East of England, but it is not a silver bullet. The success of this initiative will depend on the calibre of leadership, the level of cooperation between public and private partners, and the ability to secure meaningful powers, including greater levels of fiscal control. Businesses must be involved in this journey, to ensure that their interests are represented in this evolving landscape. Residents must demand accountability from prospective mayors and local leaders. And policymakers must ensure that this transition is not simply about shifting power, but about making that power work for all people and communities in the East. Whether devolution will deliver the economic transformation the East has been waiting for, is largely dependent upon how local actors rise to the challenge and shape this agenda. The clock is ticking, and the future of the region hangs in the balance. https://lnkd.in/eDQcW--T

Today PLMR, Eastern Powerhouse and an extended expert panel will be hosting an exclusive webinar to discuss Devolution in the East and how it will impact business 💻 We're inviting business leaders, decision-makers and investors to join this online event and hear from our expert panel. We look forward to seeing everyone at 2pm! ⏰ Register for the webinar here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/egkD3eG8

It was fantastic to welcome the Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook MP, Councillor Susan Brown, Caroline Green (CEO of Oxford CC) and William Donger (CEO, Thomas White Oxford) to Canalside Quarter, Oxford North. This landmark project is set to play a key role in the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor, bringing high-quality homes and world-class research facilities to the region. This transformative district has the potential to become a model for sustainable, innovation-led communities. We’re excited to be part of the journey towards delivering 1.5 million new homes.

How is the NI hike impacting your business? Take our 1 minute survey. https://lnkd.in/eb5VfW8u

How is the National Insurance hike impacting your business? The Eastern Powerhouse provides thought leadership on strategy and policy for regional renewal and national growth. Our primary role as a membership organisation is to represent our members’ views, particularly their challenges in dealing with government policies and how this impact business performance and growth. It has become increasingly clear from conversations with our membership that their real issue now lies in the growing tax burden, which is discouraging investment in business growth, including workforce skills and apprenticeships. The recent increase in National Insurance Contributions (NICs) is a pressing challenge for businesses in the East of England. As of April 2025, the employer NIC rate has risen from 13.8% to 15%, while the contribution threshold has dropped from £9,100 to £5,000. Although these measures are intended to generate approximately £25 billion annually to address the national fiscal deficit, they place a significant financial strain on regional businesses. This comes on top of a rise in the minimum wage, of nearly 7 per cent next year, which will add additional cost to many payrolls and will disproportionately impact lower paying sectors, such as hospitality and retail, which are more reliant on younger and unskilled workers. What does this mean in practical terms? Businesses are left with three difficult choices: passing on costs to customers through price increases, cutting jobs and reducing spending. We are undertaking a short survey (see below) which should take less than 1 minute to complete, and we will be planning a roundtable event with businesses, local authorities and national policymakers to discuss and communicate to government the unique challenges faced by employers in the East of England. https://lnkd.in/eZqfrizc

Join Steven Lynch MBE, Executive Director at Eastern Powerhouse, at Global Britain Trade Expo 2025 for his session: "Growth in the East of England – Attracting Global Trade and Investment". "The East of England, has so many innovation and growth centres, the region is poised to enhance its global trade and investment appeal, particularly in sectors such as agritech, clean energy, and digital infrastructure. Cambridge's tech and biotech clusters are at the forefront of research and development, with initiatives like the proposed £150 million science innovation hub designed to provide critical infrastructure for early-stage companies, fostering growth and collaboration. In clean energy, Freeport East's 'green energy hub' at the Port of Harwich is establishing itself as a key player in offshore wind turbine manufacturing. Additionally, digital infrastructure advancements like the Connected Innovation platform are strengthening links between businesses and academic institutions in Norfolk and Suffolk, promoting technological progress. To further attract global investment, the East of England must focus on three key strategies. First, investing in infrastructure, enhancing transport links, digital connectivity, and sustainable energy resources will create a more attractive environment for international businesses. Second, advocating for supportive policies and securing government funding for innovation projects will accelerate regional growth. Finally, highlighting success stories in agritech, clean energy, and technology will showcase the region's innovation capacity and further boost investor confidence. By implementing these strategies, the East of England can strengthen its position as a global innovation hub, ensuring long-term economic prosperity." Global Britain Trade Expo 2025, 29th May, QEII Centre, Westminster, London Book your pass at: https://lnkd.in/eCSMVtnB #CrossBorderBusiness #FDi #GlobalExpansion #business #event #london #GBTE