Liverpool City Region LEP Executive Director for Strategic Economic Development Mike Palin said:
“The Budget has given LEPs a clear cue. Our task now is to create a compelling case for allocations from the Single Local Growth Fund. To do this we must continue to bring together local leaders and local businesses to present a clear and credible case for the City Region, leading economic growth through collective action
“We welcome the Chancellor’s commitment to enabling local areas to bid for national resources. Creating a “single pot” will require us to work together as a City Region to show Government the value of investing in our businesses and especially in the global opportunities we have in Low Carbon, SuperPort and Visitor Economy, as well as in our growing Knowledge Economy. Government is proposing to invest where opportunities exist and in projects such as Enterprise Zones and in new infrastructure, as well as enterprises, As a City Region we have existing assets to fulfil these new opportunities.
“The Chancellor commented on our need, as a country, to continue to increase our exports to countries outside of the EU. Through initiatives like our Business Growth Grant and the International Festival for Business 2014, together with building on the success delivered by our manufacturers, who are more productive than the average in the UK, we are confident we can meet the challenges we face.