In a recent article, Plymouth is cited as being one of the ten most deprived cities in England and described as “low wage, high welfare”; Exeter – the only other local city on the accompanying map – is described as “low wage, low welfare”:
When power is in the hands of our Local Enterprise Partnership will their funds be targeted at Plymouth? It seems unlikely, as currently the LEP is most excited about, and most involved in, the commissioning of the Hinkley Point nuclear power plant.
How will the LEP ensure that funds are shared out equitably? It’s only criterion in promoting “economic growth” which is most easily done in those places already growing. How can it square its need to invest in areas primed for growth where returns will be quicker and higher (so that it can be seen to tick its own boxes) and those areas blighted by lack of growth, which will be slower and lower and so drag its performance targets down even if they do invest?
Add to this the fact that, in future, much more revenue will need to be raised by local authorities directly in their own areas (e.g. reliance on local business rate income rather than government funds) and low income, low growth areas will be even more worse off than affluent areas.
Perhaps a councillor or member of the local LEP can enlighten us? Oh no, wait, all devolution matters are being handled in secret and our LEP members are remarkably shy of making public appearances with their LEP hats on, so we can’t ask them face to face.
East Devon Watch 