City region aims to be best in UK

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has officially unveiled the Mayor’s ambitious vision to transform the city region into a hub for growth, family life, and business success. The strategic Corporate Plan, inspired by the Mayor’s election promises, focuses on boosting productivity and prosperity through substantial infrastructure investments and leveraging the region’s existing strengths. Additionally, the plan advocates for greater devolution powers to be granted to the city region.

In his statement regarding the plan, Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram emphasised:

“Addressing inequality, promoting inclusive growth, and securing a sustainable future for the next generation and our environment lie at the heart of my political agenda and administration.

“My goal is to establish Liverpool City Region as the premier destination to raise a family, start a business, and thrive.

“Since taking office, we have facilitated employment for thousands, introduced state-of-the-art publicly-owned trains, facilitated the construction of 30,000 new homes for families to settle in, enabled hundreds of thousands of residents to acquire new qualifications, and initiated the process of reining in our bus services under public supervision.

“Liverpool City Region boasts a rich historical backdrop, abundance of talent, and a lineage of trailblazers. While we take pride in our heritage, we are prepared to chart a course towards an even brighter and more prosperous future. This plan outlines our roadmap to that destination.

“Collaborating closely with our new Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and his cabinet, I am committed to ensuring that our future narrative is scripted not in Westminster or Whitehall, but right here in the Liverpool City Region.”

The plan includes a targeted approach to upskilling, aiming to support over 120,000 adults in acquiring the necessary skills demanded in the region, thereby creating opportunities for securing tens of thousands of well-paying jobs. Special emphasis will also be placed on providing young individuals with a strong foundation, with increased training for early years and childcare professionals and the launch of a new childcare commission.

Initial funding for these skill development programmes will exceed £50 million annually, with further efforts to devolve education for 16-19-year-olds and the Apprenticeship Levy. Details regarding a comprehensive long-term skills strategy are anticipated in the autumn release.

Noteworthy advancements in public transportation are on the horizon, with Merseytravel set to be succeeded by Transport for Liverpool City Region. By the end of 2027, the entire bus network will transition to full franchising – aligning with plans for enhanced public control over train operations through a revamped Merseyrail model. The envisioned Liverpool Baltic station, slated for completion by the same year, will pave the way for the redevelopment of Liverpool Central Station and the establishment of three new stations in St Helens, Halton, and the Wirral.

A substantial emphasis on public housing is part of the strategy, aiming to deliver well-designed, energy-efficient, and affordable homes to address the housing crisis. This initiative not only complements the government’s housing agenda but also aligns with net zero aspirations by decarbonising more than 1,000 homes and public buildings annually.

The combined authority has also announced intentions to explore increased council house construction, introduce a Good Landlord Charter, and establish a homelessness task force.

In pursuit of economic expansion and enhancing the city region’s innovative prominence, the combined authority aims to strengthen partnerships with the USA, Germany, and East Asia while highlighting the potential of Liverpool City Region’s freeport and Life Sciences Innovation Zone to attract new businesses and investments. Projections indicate the creation of over 20,000 jobs, with a target of a 25% rise in foreign investments by 2030.

Image credit: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority