Title

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Industrial Strategy 'lacks focus on inclusive growth'

The Government has failed to offer a compelling narrative around inclusive growth, Leeds City Council’s chief executive has warned.

The Government has failed to offer a compelling narrative around inclusive growth, Leeds City Council's chief executive has warned.

Tom Riordan told colleagues at The MJ's Future Forum North conference that, while the Industrial Strategy briefly mentioned inclusive growth, ministers still do not grasp the need to reach people who feel left behind.

He said: ‘The biggest weakness of the Budget announcement and the Industrial Strategy we've seen so far is around inclusive growth.

‘It was mentioned but there was very little follow through of a story of how this is getting to people who feel left out.

‘It is very much still in the Westminster bubble, but we are still dealing with the local reasons of why people wanted to leave [the EU].

‘That is something we've really got to get right.'

Mr Riordan's speech focused on the gaps in the Industrial Strategy white paper that he believed local government could fill, despite only leading the agenda in mayoral combined authorities.

He said: ‘The Industrial Strategy is forward looking in a sense and particularly about technology and digital and all that stuff, but we need to inject a bit of ambition and radical thinking and different ways of working locally.

‘I am not cowed by the fact local government is not leading this, but we must demand a better relationship with local enterprise partnerships (LEP) and LEPs need better governance.

‘We can make sure there is consistency and collaboration. There is a danger we can get that separation.

‘It is not all about government money. It is about going for global investment and taking advantage of the fact the Northern Powerhouse has captured the imagination of the Chinese and Indian investors.

‘[Local government can help on] joining up the different departmental agendas.'

Trafford chief executive Theresa Grant explained how the British economy was skewed against the north. ‘The UK's productivity is behind other major European countries and the North is well below the UK average.'

Addressing colleagues yet to embark on devolution journeys, Joanne Roney, the chief executive of Manchester City Council, told colleagues having a mayor had brought an ‘added dimension' to the work they are doing to address economic and prosperity issues in the region.

She said: ‘Andy Burnham is a very loud and charismatic voice, but having a mayor really adds to the progress we are making.

‘But irrespective of governance arrangements, every area can take something  from that, can create fantastic places.'

She urged councils across the country to continue to play a role in boosting connectivity, investment and capacity, pool budgets and resources and develop workforce talents.

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Planning for the future of planning

By Dr Wei Yang | 24 July 2025

Dr Wei Yang presents the case for investing in tools that improve transparency, efficiency and inclusivity, to support a modernised planning system fit for t...

ECONOMIC GROWTH

This transformation is a time for pragmatism and vision

By Gill Kneller | 24 July 2025

It is a deliberate programme of sustained and ongoing cultural change that will make local government reform sustainable, cohesive and impactful, argues Gill...

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Recruiting for complexity

By Rebecca Davis | 23 July 2025

Rebecca Davis discusses why we need to hire minds, not just hands, and looks at some examples of how this strategy has been approached within the West Midlands.

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Employers and unions agree pay deal

By Paul Marinko | 23 July 2025

Local government employers and the Unison and GMB trade unions have agreed a pay deal for the sector.

Popular articles by Sam Clayden