Rugby MP Mark Pawsey has welcomed the Government’s green paper on a new modern Industrial Strategy which will support businesses in Rugby to grow and create more high skilled, high paid jobs for local people.
The Industrial Strategy sets out ten ‘pillars’ – including investing in science, research and innovation, and upgrading infrastructure – that underpin a new approach and will identify all of the new opportunities across our economy. This strategy will create the conditions where the winners can emerge and grow in different types of business across Rugby and the whole of the Midlands.
The Midlands in particular stands to benefit from a modern Industrial Strategy thanks to the recent resurgence in the automotive sector, with 60% of the UK’s automotive research and development taking place in the region. In addition, the Industrial Strategy will further promote plans for the Midlands Engine and gives the go ahead for major infrastructure upgrades to ensure that the UK is an attractive place to do business.
Mark said:
“Rugby has a proud history of high tech engineering, as the place where Frank Whittle developed the jet engine and more recently the home of the Manufacturing Technology Centre which is at the cutting edge of modern engineering. As Rugby’s MP, I have had the opportunity to visit a number of engineering firms who have chosen to base themselves in Rugby, including innovative business MSS Lasers which specialises in refurbishing laser cutting tools.”
Mark continued:
“One of the great success stories of recent years has been the growth in automotive manufacturing in the Midlands. Alongside the planned expansion by Jaguar Land Rover at Coventry, we also have on our doorstep the London Taxi Company’s new factory which will begin building the next generation of the iconic black London cab later this year. International car manufactures, such as Nissan, are also choosing to invest in the UK which demonstrates that this country continues to be a world leader in automotive engineering.”
Mark concluded:
“Our town stands to benefit from a new, modern industrial strategy which encourages investment in high tech manufacturing, and since 2010 we have seen a number of manufacturing businesses choose to invest in Rugby and the Midlands. The green paper is an important step in building on this with a modern, dynamic Industrial Strategy that will deliver high skilled, high wage jobs, improve living standards and drive economic growth.”