Local Conservatives have welcomed the six-point long-term economic plan for the South West unveiled by the Prime Minister and the Chancellor this week.
The plan shows what has been delivered, what is underway and what more can be done to support the regional economy in the long-term.
The plan set out six commitments to:
1. Increase the long-term growth rate of the South West to at least the long-term growth rate of Britain.
2. Maintain the current high rate of job creation in the South West, by supporting private businesses, advanced manufacturing and skills.
3. Transform connections across the South West, and improve links with the rest of the country, through delivering over £7 billion of investment in road and rail infrastructure in the South West. Alongside this we are committed to a step change in digital connectivity.
4. Support the tourism sector to draw more people to the South West’s beautiful countryside and coastlines.
5. Ensure the world class defence assets and cyber security industry of the South West provide the maximum benefit to the local economy.
6. Build on the South West’s existing reputation in life and agricultural sciences and boost science more broadly, supporting tech clusters, green energy, promoting skills development and an innovative rural economy.
This plan will increase the size of the regional economy by £6.4 billion in real terms by 2030 (the equivalent to over £1,000 per person), create over 150,000 new jobs in the South West and support the complete dualling of the key roads like the A303 and the full electrification of Brunel’s Great Western Main Line.
It’s also been announced the Government is exploring the case for a new dedicated Devon and Cornwall rail franchise for the South West to support better timetabling and services designed for local needs. The Chancellor has challenged councils across the region to come together to form a new body like Transport for London or the newly created Transport for the North to deliver improved local services.
Because there are no quick fixes to achieving these important goals, the Conservatives have set out a specific timetable to deliver this over the next parliament and then the following decade. By doing so, we will build a more balanced British economy, with more jobs, prosperity, and a brighter future for hardworking taxpayers and families in the South West.
Kevin Foster, Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Torbay, said:
“This plan sets out a clear program of investment and Government policy that will ensure our area is able to grow and prosper. Key to the bay’s future is having the resilient infrastructure we need to support a diverse economy and job creating developments. Conservatives in Government have already delivered the Kingskerswell Bypass, committed to major investment in the A303 and pledge to deliver more resilient rail routes.
The choice could not be clearer for Torbay residents in May. They can vote for a party and candidate with a clear plan for our bay, our region and our nation or they can vote for parties that offer no clear plan for the future and the prospect of Ed Miliband in Downing Street.”
On the suggestion of a specific rail franchise for Devon and Cornwall, Kevin added:
“This is a great idea and one I fully endorse. For too long our rail services have been too focussed on just how to get trains in and out of London or the Midlands, rather than building an integrated transport network for our region. This means we can end up with unnecessary amounts of first class seats, when other coaches are crowded. As the demand for local trains continues to increase it is right we have a dedicated franchise for our peninsula that delivers local accountability.”