Mayor plans to create 100,000 jobs across region

Richard Parker says the new plan will help the economy grow by more than £17bn

Plans to create 100,000 new jobs and "put an extra £8,600 back in the pockets of working people" have been announced by mayor of the West Midlands.

Richard Parker set out his proposals to boost the region's economy and raise living standards when he unveiled the West Midlands Growth Plan in Wolverhampton on Monday.

He claimed the plan, which included "a series of major investments" for towns, cities and high streets, would lead to employment for tens of thousands of residents, improvements to public transport and 120,000 new homes.

They are about "unlocking opportunity for everyone" and will "improve the lives of everyone", Parker added.

They also include measures to grow the region's economy by more than £17bn as well as action to reduce poverty and deprivation, as well as make further progress towards net zero.

Parker said the region had been "going backwards for the last 10 years", but "strategic interventions" would help it to move forward.

Potential for growth

He outlined five key industries where the region displayed "significant potential" for growth and the creation of job opportunities:

• Advanced engineering, including electric vehicles and battery technology

• Clean technology and energy

• Health and medical technology

• Digital and the creative industries

• Professional and financial services

The plan also pledged to invest £2.4bn to improve the region's transport network, as well as more support for business leaders, entrepreneurs and workers who contribute to the "everyday economy", such as teachers, bus drivers, shop workers and carers.

Parker said the region was "full of untapped talent and potential", and the plan set out how to "deliver growth and prosperity" in the region.

"I want to ensure we don't just create better jobs and better-paid jobs, but those jobs are embedded in and benefit all of our communities.

"For too long in this region some of our most disadvantaged communities have been left behind," he said.

The mayor added that as the biggest region outside of London, when the Midlands succeeded, the whole country benefitted.

The plan was unveiled as the region prepared to host a global investment summit in partnership with the government later this year.

The summit will set out investment opportunities across the West Midlands and the UK to international business leaders and investors.