Phil Cotton, South Region Chairman at KPMG, comments on today’s industrial strategy launched by the Government: “This is a business plan for Britain and its clear priorities and support for industry will be a welcome relief for businesses in the South West. Instead of employing a scattergun approach to funding, this strategy has identified key sectors for long term investment that have the potential to kick start the economy and drive forward growth.
“This commitment to a long term plan will hopefully provide the stability businesses need and will give them the confidence to invest accordingly.
“Businesses in the South West should reap the benefits from the strategy: many of the priority sectors listed by the Government are also key sectors in our region.
“News that the Government will build on its long term partnership with the aerospace industry is very welcome. The South West has a long tradition of being home to some of the leading lights in the aerospace sector. Today’s strategy recognises that the UK’s prominence in the aerospace industry is the result of long term investment by businesses like Airbus, Rolls Royce and Agusta Westland in R&D and training highly skilled staff. The financial support from the Government to help aerospace companies train the next generation of engineers will help the UK to remain at the forefront of advances in the field and is a particularly important commitment.
“The South West will also benefit from the Government’s commitment to partner and support knowledge intensive services like higher education, creative industries and professional business services as well as green energy and the construction industry. Cable rightly recognises the future contribution these sectors can make, and employers in our region should benefit from any future support offered.”
