Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark has announced that for the first time all ministers in the Department for Business, Energy Industrial Strategy will act as local growth champions across the United Kingdom. Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage has welcomed the announcement of Jo Johnson MP, Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, as local growth champion for the Solent region.
Ministers will be tasked with building relationships with Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), businesses and local leaders and will act as a first point of contact for respective LEPs in England within the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said:
"Government has helped transform the business landscape by putting power back into the hands of local communities and businesses to drive economic growth. To make sure every corner of the UK benefits, I am giving ministers in my team geographic areas of responsibility so they can build on existing relationships to better connect government policy with the businesses and industries we're working with.
"This is part of our plan to build an economy that works for all. An effective industrial strategy has to recognise and take advantage of the differences and unique strengths that exist across the country, and I will be encouraging all my ministers to get out there and meet the people who know their area best."
Caroline Dinenage, Member of Parliament for Gosport, Stubbington, Lee-on-the-Solent and Hill Head, said:
"I am delighted with the Government's decision to appoint Ministers as regional champions, responsible for promoting growth in specific areas. We have a number of unique attributes in the Solent region, including our close connection to the maritime, defence and engineering sector. Tailoring industrial strategy to meet local needs and capitalising upon these attributes are vital for effective economic growth.
"I look forward to working closely with Jo and local stakeholders towards our common ambition of seeing the Solent region compete, prosper and thrive."
