The Black Country has been named as one of the ‘big six’ industrial clusters and featured in a major report launched this month by UKRI, the Government’s research and innovation agency.
Enabling Net Zero: A Plan for UK Industrial Cluster Decarbonisation was launched in Westminster by Bryony Livesey, the UKRI Challenge Director, supported by Nick Winser, the National Infrastructure Commissioner leading on energy, and Steph Wright, the Director of DESNZ responsible for industrial cluster decarbonisation.
The report calls for clear signals from government to support industrial decarbonisation; speeding up of planning and permitting for infrastructure projects such as increased electricity capacity; and institutionalised representation of industry in Whitehall to ensure UK industry remains competitive through this major change.
The Black Country’s proposal for a Centre for Manufacturing Transition to represent the interests of supply chains and smaller established businesses across the whole country is featured. There is a long-term need for the mid- and smaller sized businesses that dominate the Black Country economy to secure the same level of representation and attention in Government as very large companies such as the petrochemicals and steel industry.
You can read more about the CMT and download the report here.