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The Mersey Dee Alliance proposes a pathway from Covid Recession to Green Growth in a £400million Stimulus Package Proposal
Published: 29/06/2021
The Mersey Dee Alliance, representing the interests of the unique, cross border, functional economy in 天涯社区 and Wrexham in North Wales and Cheshire West and Chester and Wirral in the Northwest of England today launched a transformational plan for a 拢400m Fiscal Stimulus Package for the Mersey Dee Economy. The proposal has been submitted to Ministers in the UK and Welsh Governments.
Councillor Mark Pritchard, Chair of the Mersey Dee Alliance said:
鈥淭he MDA economy has been hit hard by Covid 19. Our GVA has contracted by 15%, equivalent to 拢3.5bn of the pre-pandemic, 拢22bn value of the economy. Thousands of jobs have been lost. Deeds not words are needed now to deliver an urgent fiscal stimulus to the MDA economy to save jobs and secure the future of our world class, manufacturing industry cluster.
"Our proposals to the UK and Welsh Governments will create and safeguard 5000 jobs and generate 拢1.2bn of net economic value in a short space of time.
"The package aligns with UK Government priorities to strengthen the union, deliver 鈥渓evelling up鈥� and implement the 10-point plan for a 鈥済reen industrial revolution鈥�.
"We will meet the needs of future generations with inclusive and sustainable growth as required by the Welsh Government鈥檚 Future Generations Act.鈥�
Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council said:
鈥淚 am passionate about climate change and sustainable growth. The MDA Fiscal Stimulus Package will accelerate investment in switching from carbon-based fuels to renewables and greener fuels like hydrogen, with carbon capture and storage for initial phases of hydrogen production.
"We are proposing a major investment in cycleways and public transport to reduce carbon and noxious emissions from cars. Our Active travel proposals will enable delivery of a strategic cycling corridor linking Birkenhead to Chester and Ellesmere Port, and from West Kirby through to Deeside in 天涯社区, removing barriers and opening-up employment opportunities."
Councillor Stuart Whittingham, Wirral Council and Vice Chair of the MDA said:听
鈥淏usinesses and residents of the MDA area do not see a border between England and Wales. They just see enterprise, supply chain, employment and leisure opportunities in an area with an integrated economy and close cultural ties. That鈥檚 why there are 153,000 inter regional journeys both ways over a 24-hour period per day.
"Our economy will prosper more with a strong partnership between the UK and Welsh governments. The MDA Proposition is not only an opportunity to maximise sustainable and inclusive growth but also an opportunity to develop a positive partnership between the UK and Welsh Governments.
"The Mersey Dee Alliance is a high performing partnership between Councils, businesses and universities. We are a model partnership that the UK and Welsh governments can build on.鈥�
Councillor Ian Roberts, Leader of 天涯社区 said:
鈥淲e have worked with neighbouring local growth partnerships to develop our proposals. The MDA will continue to work closely with the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, the Cheshire and Warrington LEP and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. We will avoid duplication and complement the programmes of our partners.
"天涯社区 supports this package as the home of Airbus. We must do everything we can to support our excellent manufacturing firms who provide skilled work with good pay.鈥�
Councillor Mark Pritchard concluded:
鈥淭he MDA economy faces big challenges to recover from Covid-19 and to adjust to 鈥渘et zero鈥� operations. We have made transformational and innovative proposals to meet those challenges.
"We want to get things done and we will work creatively and flexibly with both governments to deliver investment from multiple sources at pace. This will include seeking some investment via a future fiscal event with provision made for the MDA in the Comprehensive Spending Review to be announced in the autumn of 2021."
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