Midlands Engine Strategy
The concept of a ‘Midlands Engine Strategy’ was announced by Chancellor Philip Hammond during the spring budget 2017, on 8 March 2017, but no details were given.
On 9 March 2017, the government published the Midlands Engine Strategy, which it described as ‘…a demonstration of the government’s commitment to making the Midlands a powerful engine for economic growth.’
It suggests that the Midlands sits at the heart of the UK economy, stretching from Shropshire to Lincolnshire, and having the M1, M6, and most of the major railway lines running through it. The Midlands is responsible for more than a fifth of the UK’s manufacturing capability.
The Midlands Engine Strategy builds on the Industrial Strategy (Building our Industrial Strategy: green paper published on 23 January 2017) which set out proposals for a modern industrial strategy intended to ‘…build on Britain’s strengths and tackle its underlying weaknesses to secure a future as a competitive, global nation’.
The Midlands Engine Strategy sets out plans to address productivity barriers across the Midlands, enabling businesses to create more jobs, export more goods and services, and grow their productivity.
It focuses on five key objectives:
- Improving connectivity to raise productivity.
- Strengthening skills to make the Midlands a more attractive location for businesses.
- Supporting enterprise and innovation to foster a more dynamic regional economy.
- Promoting the Midlands nationally and internationally to maximise trade and investment.
- Enhancing quality of life to attract and retain skilled workers, and to foster the local tourist economy.
This is supported by plans to invest £392 million across the region through the Local Growth Fund, including:
- £20 million for a Midlands Skills Challenge to help close the skills gap between the Midlands and the rest of the country.
- A £250 million Midlands Engine Investment Fund to finance the expansion plans of SMEs across the region.
- £12 million to develop a Black Country Garden City, offering new locations for high-quality housing.
- £6 million to catalyse the regeneration of Derby City Centre.
- £25 million to tackle congestion and improve major employment sites in the Black Country.
- £12 million to improve road connections around Loughborough.
- £4 million to support the operation of the Midlands Engine Partnership over the next two years.
This is in addition to £1.5 billion of Local Growth Fund investments in the Midlands that have previously been announced.
Chancellor Philip Hammond said: “The Midlands Engine Strategy is an important milestone, setting out the concrete actions we are taking, where we are not only investing in what it does well but also tackling some of the long standing productivity barriers in the region including skills and connectivity."
Then-Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Backed by millions in investment, this new strategy will help create more jobs and boost skills in the region. It will also showcase to investors here and abroad everything the Midlands Engine has to offer.”
Midlands Engine Partnership chairman Sir John Peace said:
“This strategy represents a clear footprint for the Midlands Engine empowering us to think bigger, and work even closer together, across local economies and on a scale that makes sense in global markets. Later this year, we will respond to the government’s strategy by publishing an ambitious vision and action plan so we, together with government, succeed in unlocking the Midlands’ great potential.”
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Building our Industrial Strategy: green paper.
- Cities Devolution Bill.
- City deals.
- Devolution.
- Enterprise zones.
- Going for growth, Reviewing the Effectiveness of Government Growth Initiatives.
- Growth and Infrastructure Bill.
- Growth deal.
- High Speed 2 (HS2).
- Industrial strategy - the importance of place.
- Localism Act.
- Northern Powerhouse discussion.
- Northern powerhouse transport blueprint.
- Northern Powerhouse.
- Spring budget 2017.
- State of the nation: Devolution.
- The Northern Powerhouse and the impact on the construction industry.
- What does the Northern Powerhouse mean for us?
Featured articles and news
SELECT three-point plan for action issued to MSPs
Call for Scottish regulation, green skills and recognition of electrotechnical industry as part of a manifesto for Scottish Parliamentary elections.
UCEM becomes the University of the Built Environment
Major milestone in its 106-year history, follows recent merger with London School of Architecture (LSE).
Professional practical experience for Architects in training
The long process to transform the nature of education and professional practical experience in the Architecture profession following recent reports.
A people-first approach to retrofit
Moving away from the destructive paradigm of fabric-first.
International Electrician Day, 10 June 2025
Celebrating the role of electrical engineers from André-Marie Amperè, today and for the future.
New guide for clients launched at Houses of Parliament
'There has never been a more important time for clients to step up and ...ask the right questions'
The impact of recycled slate tiles
Innovation across the decades.
EPC changes for existing buildings
Changes and their context as the new RdSAP methodology comes into use from 15 June.
Skills England publishes Sector skills needs assessments
Priority areas relating to the built environment highlighted and described in brief.
BSRIA HVAC Market Watch - May 2025 Edition
Heat Pump Market Outlook: Policy, Performance & Refrigerant Trends for 2025–2028.
Committing to EDI in construction with CIOB
Built Environment professional bodies deepen commitment to EDI with two new signatories: CIAT and CICES.
Government Grenfell progress report at a glance
Line by line recomendation overview, with links to more details.
An engaging and lively review of his professional life.
Sustainable heating for listed buildings
A problem that needs to be approached intelligently.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson apprentice award
Deadline for entries has been extended to Friday 27 June, so don't miss out!
CIAT at the London Festival of Architecture
Designing for Everyone: Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Architecture.
Mixed reactions to apprenticeship and skills reform 2025
A 'welcome shift' for some and a 'backwards step' for others.