Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on businesses in Hampshire of the industrial strategy.

The Government’s Industrial Strategy sets out a long-term plan to boost the productivity and earning power of people throughout the UK. It focuses on the five foundations of productivity: Ideas, People, Infrastructure, Business Environment and Places.

Central to achieving these ambitions is ensuring that places across the UK are a global draw for innovators. Key policies to secure this ambition include the launch and roll-out of Sector Deals, driving investment in innovative and high potential businesses, and launching a review of the actions that could be most effective in improving the productivity and growth of small and medium-sized businesses across the country. We will also continue to ensure that all businesses have access to a local Growth Hub. I have been delighted at the positive reception the Industrial Strategy has received from business leaders across Hampshire.

The Industrial Strategy also builds on previous reforms to empower local leaders to address local barriers to growth. This includes working in partnership with places to develop long-term Local Industrial Strategies. These will identify local strengths and challenges, future opportunities and the action needed to boost productivity, earning power and competitiveness.