The number one mission of the Government is growth. So why then are ministers only allocating crucial funding to half of the population?
The recently-published Industrial Strategy is widely welcomed, providing clarity and stability for business, training providers and public bodies.
The focus on high-growth sectors (known as the IS-8), such as creative, digital, advanced manufacturing and life sciences, aligns with most regional economic strategies drawn up by authorities across the UK, such as our own Surrey Economic Growth Strategy 2025-35.
By restricting access to certain funding to only those areas currently with a mayor, the Government risks missing live opportunities to work with trusted, reliable partners in places where there is clear growth potential.
The cross-departmental focus on upskilling the nation, equipping people with the skills employers need while creating regionally-focused employment support programmes like Connect to Work, is positive.
As is extra finance for SMEs, R&D investment to drive innovation, support for businesses to roll out new technologies and drive to bring strategic sites into use.
But the ring-fencing of direct funding to areas which already have a directly-elected mayor – most of which are in traditional Labour heartlands of the Midlands and the North – does present a missed opportunity to those of us on the outside.
At latest count according to the ONS, combined authorities (also known as mayoral strategic authorities) had about 50% of England's total population.
Hull & East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire have since elected their own mayors. And more areas will be joining under Angela Rayner's devolution revolution, so that every area in England will have a directly-elected mayor with strategic responsibilities for economic development, housing, transport and the environment.
But, by restricting access to certain funding to only those areas currently with a mayor, the Government risks missing live opportunities to work with trusted, reliable partners in places where there is clear growth potential.
We are willing and able to help the Government achieve its growth mission sooner rather than later while, most importantly, delivering tangible benefits to our people, places and businesses.
Take Surrey for example. We have 110,000 businesses and an economy worth £50bn, the fourth largest UK region behind London, the West Midlands and Greater Manchester.
We are a uniquely located functional economic area between two major global airports and neighbouring London where businesses choose to locate and grow.
We have a highly-skilled workforce, respected educational and research institutions, and world-leading sectors – including creative, space, cybersecurity, gaming, and life sciences – who we're proud to champion and support.
A quarter of jobs are in a knowledge-based industry, 54% of workers have a degree, and our output per resident would rank first among existing combined authorities in GDP per capita at £46,600.
But there remain challenges in starting a business, retaining talent, economic infrastructure and ensuring our 1.2 million residents have the skills our businesses need.
Housing affordability remains a key issue, and housing delivery is almost 6% lower than the estimated requirement over the last three years.
Plus, we have pockets of deprivation not always visible in data sets, which inspires our wider council mission to ensure no one is left behind.
We are pleased to see the Industrial Strategy recognises some of these challenges, specifically identifying funding to address them head on.
But we cannot currently bid for all of these opportunities – as despite agreeing a level two County Deal last year and inclusion on the fast-track programme for devolution, Surrey will not have an elected mayor until 2028.
Our business leaders forum – which includes representatives from McLaren, KONE, AtkinsRéalis, Shepperton Studios and Gatwick Airport – has quite rightly asked what will happen between now and then.
Do we pause delivery until reorganisation is complete? Do we water down our ambitions? The answer to both is no.
We will continue to make the most of the devolved responsibilities already secured, establishing strategic partnerships, such as the Civic Agreement for Surrey with Surrey's three world-class universities; and fostering sectoral clusters, such as the Surrey Cyber Security Cluster.
We will continue delivering vital training for thousands of residents via government-funded skills programmes such as skills bootcamps, establishing Connect to Work and progressing plans for the devolution of adult skills fund.
And we will continue using the oversubscribed Surrey Economic Growth Fund to invest in scalable innovative ideas to drive growth across our region.
It is a strong start – but we have the ambition and conditions to do so much more. Speed is essential. We could achieve more growth sooner if our potential is recognised.
And ministers opening up investment opportunities to all areas with high-growth potential will be one way we can keep up this momentum and help government achieve its growth mission much faster.
Dawn Redpath is director of economy & growth at Surrey CC
