Lancashire joins national conversation on Northern Growth Strategy

The discussions marked the first formal engagement between the Northern Growth Envoy and the LCCA and formed part of a wider programme of engagement between Lancashire and Government. Earlier in the week, the Combined County Authority held its first annual strategic conversation with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, reflecting a growing dialogue on Lancashire’s future and its contribution to national priorities.

At the centre of the discussions was Lancashire’s Growth Plan, developed by the LCCA with businesses and wider partners. As one of the North’s largest economies, Lancashire has set out a long-term vision for growth built on nationally significant strengths in defence, advanced manufacturing, nuclear, energy, food production and tourism. The discussions explored how that work can complement the Government’s Industrial Strategy and feed into the emerging Northern Growth Strategy.  

The programme included two roundtable discussions. Members of the Combined County Authority discussed Lancashire’s strategic priorities and the opportunities and challenges facing the county. A second roundtable, convened by the Lancashire Business Board, brought together senior business leaders alongside representatives from the Department for Business and Trade to discuss the realities of investing, growing businesses and improving productivity across Lancashire.

Taken together, the discussions reflected the value of bringing national and local perspectives together at an early stage. Government was able to hear directly from civic and business leaders about Lancashire’s experience, while local partners gained a clearer understanding of the thinking behind the Northern Growth Strategy as it continues to develop.

Stephen Atkinson, Chair of the Lancashire Combined County Authority, said:

“You can’t build a strategy for the North by looking at one type of place. Lancashire has a different economy, different strengths and different challenges, and that’s exactly why it was important that our voice was part of this conversation.

“We’ve already done a huge amount of work with businesses and partners to develop a Growth Plan for Lancashire. Sitting down with Government while the Northern Growth Strategy is still being developed meant we could test our thinking, hear theirs and make sure the conversation reflected the breadth of the North’s economy.”

Mo Isap, Chair of the Lancashire Business Board, said:

"Our Lancashire business leaders are united and spoke with one voice, greater devolution means economic growth, leads to better jobs creating greater prosperity for all.  

“Nobody was there to make speeches. Businesses talked about what they’re seeing, where they’re investing and what they need to keep growing. That’s the sort of conversation Government needs if it’s serious about building a strategy that works in the real world.”