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Statement on the LIS during COVID-19 pandemic

The publication and implementation of the SELEP Local Industrial Strategy is on hold while the unprecedented economic challenges arising from COVID-19 are being considered.  

We continue to work to understand the impact of the pandemic on our businesses and residents and have taken steps to support the economy in the short term, as well as consider our approach to medium and longer term recovery and growth.  Our COVID-19 Economic Response Statement and accompanying intelligence sets this out and will be updated regularly to ensure it is relevant and useful.

SELEP recognises that our future strategy needs to ensure that national and local policy and funding are aligned so that they work for the benefit of our area.  Our medium and longer term approach to recovery and growth will therefore be shaped in part by the Government’s White Paper on Devolution and Local Recovery, which is expected in Autumn 2020.

Development of the South East LEP Local Industrial Strategy

In 2014, the LEP produced its first Strategic Economic Plan, underpinning a growth deal worth almost £600 million in investment, which supports nearly 200 projects. The investment aims to deliver 78,000 jobs and 29,000 homes by 2021. In 2018, following the publication of the National Industrial Strategy in 2017, Government mandated that every LEP should produce a Local Industrial Strategy (LIS).

Whilst awaiting further detail and structure from Government, the South East LEP continued its commitment to provide a refresh of the Strategic Economic Plan and in late 2018, we produced an Economic Strategy Statement – SmarterFasterTogether. This document set out the path towards developing our LIS.

Strategic Economic Plan 2014

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Smarter Faster Together

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National Industrial Strategy

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What is a Local Industrial Strategy?

Local Industrial Strategies will be long-term, based on clear evidence and aligned to the National Industrial Strategy. They must set out clearly defined priorities for the area that will help to maximise its contribution to UK productivity and allow places to make the most of their distinctive strengths. The expectation of LEPs is set out in the Government’s policy prospectus.

The LIS has two core aims: to increase productivity and realise potential and allow all communities to contribute to and benefit from economic prosperity. Local Industrial Strategies will help to inform local choices, prioritise local action and, where appropriate, help to inform decisions at the national level. They will also provide strategic overview which will inform LEPs’ approach to any future local growth funding. To drive all areas of productivity, the LIS must tackle the fundamentals of local economies across the five foundations of productivity:

  1. Ideas
  2. People
  3. Place
  4. Infrastructure
  5. Business Environment.

And where the area can contribute, the LIS should also cite how its priorities and actions can support the grand challenges:

  • Artificial Intelligence & Data
  • Future of Mobility
  • Clean Growth
  • Ageing Society