National and regional businesses have launched a plan to drive growth and investment into South Wales and Western England and double the size of the region’s economy.
The Plan For Sustainable Development aims to add an extra £250 billion to the UK economy by 2050. It has been described as part of a “radical new model” for how regions can partner with governments to deliver on the Prime Minister’s national mission for growth.
It was launched at the 2024 Convention of the Western Gateway, presented by SSE Energy Solutions. The event, at Newport’s ICC Wales, featured a packed line up of UK and Welsh Ministers, business leaders, academics, charities and local authorities, who discussed how the plan can be put into practice. Organisations in attendance included Associated British Ports, Ogi, Wales and West Utilities, Bristol Airport, Vantage Data Centres and Transport for Wales alongside many more.
The Convention brought together 700 business, university, and local leaders to define how the area can create growth whilst reaching Net Zero, supporting innovation, protecting nature, increasing investment and improving public transport.
The plan sets out how South Wales and Western England can deliver against the Prime Minister’s national mission for growth by increasing investment, unleashing innovation, connecting communities, and improving the area’s recognition worldwide.
It also calls on both UK and Welsh Government to partner with this cross-border region to achieve this growth with thirteen practical asks.
This work has been led by the Western Gateway, the Pan-Regional Partnership for the area.
The partnership has recently published independent research which shows that the cross-border area is likely to be the fastest growing region outside of London over the next five years, adding an extra £11 billion to the economy every year. It also showed that on average businesses across the area misses out on between £3 million and £9 million of private sector investment every year when compared with other areas.
Both Rebecca Evans MS, Welsh Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, and Dame Nia Griffiths MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales pledged their support for the work of the partnership on behalf of UK and Welsh Government.
SSE Energy Solutions, the UK and Ireland’s leading energy infrastructure expert, sponsored the Convention. They are part of SSE, a leading electricity infrastructure company which has announced plans to invest up to £40 billion in the UK and Ireland over the next decade.
Nathan Sanders, Managing Director for SSE Energy Solutions, said:
“Strategic collaborations, like our new partnership with the Western Gateway, are vital to accelerating the net zero transition and delivering meaningful social value for communities across the UK.
“By leveraging our collective industry expertise and resources, we can fast-track the deployment of affordable, clean, and reliable energy solutions for communities and businesses throughout the Western Gateway, stimulating sustainable economic growth and creating green jobs.
“We see huge potential to drive clean economic growth at scale in the Western Gateway.”
Sarah Williams-Gardener, Chair of the Western Gateway, said:
“This plan powerfully demonstrates that the Western Gateway is ready to help provide the solutions to support the Prime Minister’s national mission. Supported by business and our local authorities, this Plan demonstrates the art of the possible and offers the UK and Welsh Government tangible opportunities to partner with our area to deliver growth for our communities.
“Our plan is promoting grass root solutions which can help unblock routes to new investment, support our innovative economy and better connect communities who are at risk of being left behind. I look forward to working with both Governments to deliver on our potential over the years to come.”
Cllr Huw Thomas, Leader of Cardiff Council and Vice-Chair of the Western Gateway, said:
“It is great to see our Plan for Sustainable Growth published.
“Our board brings together 28 local authorities with business and academia and demonstrates how our cross-border area can deliver more for our communities. We know we have huge potential working together as the fastest growing economic area outside of London.
“Based on evidence, this plan demonstrates that we as a region are ready to be partners with Governments in both England and Wales to provide the solutions to deliver for our economy.”
The partnership will now launch the Plan for Sustainable Growth in Westminster to help support the calls for UK Government to partner with regions across the UK.
