Dr Luke Evans, MP for Bosworth, has expressed his support in Parliament for a new 10 Point Plan for Greener Growth, produced by the Midlands Engine. The Plan is designed to accelerate the Midlands, and the UK’s, path to net zero carbon emissions, by building on existing work to make the region a leading location for Green Growth.
Dr Evans took the opportunity in parallel with the Government announcement of a “Transport Decarbonisation Plan” – a document to accelerate the UK’s transition to net zero, which offers huge opportunities for the Leicestershire and the East Midlands.
Low carbon solutions proposed in the plan offer the Midlands a wide range of economic opportunities building on the impressive local research, development and advance manufacturing, whilst helping to create a more sustainable future. The 10 Point Plan was launched earlier this month, and has been produced, and will be implemented by, over 300 partners and stakeholders, including major organisations like EDF Energy, Toyota and the National Trust.
The Plan commits the Midlands to deliver a 36% reduction in current regional CO2 emissions, whilst creating 196,000 high value jobs, and generating a further £24.2 billion in GVA (gross value added) for the region's economy by 2041. Dr Luke Evans is keen that all industries across the area benefit from this move to a low carbon future, without leaving sectors that are vital to the region behind.
The exciting new Plan builds on the successful submission for an East Midlands for Freeport status earlier this year, which was supported by Dr Luke. The bid would create 60,000 new skilled jobs in deprived areas in the region, helping to benefit the economy in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way, with a move to net zero emissions in mind.
Speaking in Parliament, Dr Luke said he was “proud as a Midlands MP that the Midlands has an automotive industry that employs 293,000 people, and 16 of the world’s top 20 automotive suppliers”, asking the Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, whether he would meet with him to discuss “how Bosworth, Leicestershire and, indeed, the country can benefit” from the new 10 Point Plan. In response, the Transport Minister thanked Dr Evans for his work with the Midlands Engine, and said it would be a “great idea” to discuss the issue with the Minister for the Future of Transport, Rachel Maclean MP.
Dr Luke said: “It’s fantastic to see this new 10 Point Plan launched to build on the existing strength of our region as an environmental leader. The benefits the plan can offer are a testament to the Midlands bringing a wealth of jobs while improving the environment. It’s important that industries like the Automotive sector, which are vital to our local economy, benefit from this much-needed move to a greener future, without leaving anybody behind.
I was glad to hear in Parliament yesterday that the Transport Secretary is as enthusiastic about this plan as I am, and I look forward to meeting the Minister for the Future of Transport and the Midlands Engine to discuss how we can best use the plan to support our brilliant region.”
Chairman of the Midlands Engine, Sir John Peace, said: “Our Ten Point Plan sets out how we will translate opportunity into reality, securing success through the power of partnership – driving economic and environmental impact at scale in every part of our region.
Our partners across the Midlands are already leading in, and will remain at the heart of, the UK’s Green Industrial Revolution. In co-authoring our Plan, with shared commitments for delivery together, our partners agree: now is the time to stand together, to act in concert and accelerate our impact, together.”
Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick, said: “At the heart of economic recovery and levelling up in the Midlands is net zero growth. This will require urgent, collective action across many areas and these are now, thanks to the collaborative work of more than 300 voices from across the Midlands, prioritised in this regional Ten Point Plan for Green Growth across the Midlands Engine.”
To find out more, and view the 10 Point Plan for Greener Growth, visit: www.midlandsengine.org
