A cross-party group of West Midlands MPs this week established a new Parliamentary group to campaign to bring new industries and jobs to the West Midlands. Dudley North MP Ian Austin has organised the new All Party Parliamentary Group on the economy of the West Midlands and will co-chair the group alongside Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier and Solihull MP Lorely Burt.
Set up to get MPs from all parties working together to raise issues affecting the regional economy, as well as businesses and organisations in their constituencies, the Group will meet regularly to discuss the future for jobs, business and industry in the West Midlands.
The Group plans to invite business leaders, representatives from the new Local Economic Partnerships, presidents of chambers of commerce and other organisations to Parliament to discuss the region's economy and work together to put the West Midlands case in Whitehall.
Ian Austin MP said: "The West Midlands was hit hardest by the downturn, and will take longest to recover. We have great strengths in our region: hard work, ingenuity, adaptability and innovation. But we face challenges when it comes to skills, transport or our ability to exploit new economic opportunities. We need to get Whitehall to understand the challenges we face so it's great MPs from all parties are working together to ensure the West Midlands gets the help and support it needs."
Mark Garnier MP said: "I am honoured to be a founding co-chair of this important group. The economy of the West Midlands is fragile, but its success is important to the millions who live in the region. Creating a structure in which Parliament and local MPs can support our region is vital. I look forward to working with the other MPs on this APPG to help support local businesses and the new Local Enterprise Partnerships."
Lorely Burt MP said: "In these difficult times it is very important that West Midlands MPs all work together to defend and promote the interests of our region. We have tremendous resources in our region: human, technical and physical. Together, this group will focus on all the positive things that we can achieve and I know we can tackle the challenges that our region faces."