THE MIDLANDS Mayors have signed an historic agreement to work closer together to deliver change for both regions.
During an event at the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry, the Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker and the Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward launched the West and East Midlands Compact.
The signing formalises the shared commitment for deeper collaboration between the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).
The agreement sets out a plan to deliver benefits for businesses and communities, while reinforcing the Midlands’ role in the UK’s economic landscape.
Together, these regions represent a £132.6billion economy, 147,355 businesses, and a population of 5.2million.
With globally significant clusters in advanced manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, life sciences and clean energy, these areas form a critical part of the UK’s industrial and economic landscape at the very heart of the country.
This Compact prioritises five initial areas where joint action will have the greatest impact, clusters and strategic supply chains, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), transport and infrastructure, research and intelligence and wider regional leadership.
By forging this new partnership, both Mayors are committed to harnessing both the regions collective strengths, celebrate heritage and build for the future.
Mr Parker said: “The Midlands was the home of the industrial revolution – an innovative spark that led to seismic change across the globe. The influence of this region is often overlooked but cannot be overstated – we are driving the national economy.
“For the first time, both East and West are represented by Mayors. It is a unique opportunity to work together to make a greater impact across the whole region.
“Bringing the region together will help us fully realise our potential. We will create jobs, drive growth, improve transport links and help the whole region thrive.”
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “This Compact represents the desire that Mayor Richard Parker and I have to harness our regions’ shared strengths and to face our shared challenges. The Government is committed to its growth mission – and it is pan-regional partnerships like ours that will deliver it. We will coordinate to attract investment, strengthen supply chains, and to deliver the infrastructure that makes inclusive growth possible.”
The Midlands has a fundamental role to play in delivering growth across the region but also nationally and, as the region’s two current Metro Mayors, both are committed to working together to achieve it – driving the inclusive, long-term economic growth that will benefit local communities and strengthen the UK economy.
