Yesterday (14 October) was the first Investment Summit, bringing together business leaders with the aim of boosting investment and growth for the next ten years and beyond.
In line with the event, the Government launched a new Industrial Strategy Advisory Council to help create a pro-business environment. Its aim is to make the UK a more attractive country to invest in. The Council is chaired by the CEO of Microsoft UK, Clare Barclay.
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves have published a green paper to kickstart delivery of the Government’s modern Industrial Strategy. The aim of the strategy is to drive long-term growth that is sustainable, resilient and distributed across the country.
The strategy is focused on eight key sectors:
- advanced manufacturing
- clean energy industries
- creative industries
- defence
- digital and technologies
- financial services
- life sciences
- professional and business services
The Green Paper is the opportunity to help shape the growth boosting strategies that businesses want Government to implement over the next ten years. Although road transport is not one of the core eight sectors, inputting into the Green Paper is the opportunity for members to highlight the importance of the sector.
The BVRLA will be responding to Green Paper, before the submission date of 24 November, and would like as much member input as possible, from businesses of all sizes. If you would like any more details, contact [email protected].
Yesterday also saw Australian financial services firm Macquarie Group announce it will support new investment to roll-out fast-charging EV infrastructure as part of a £20bn package across its UK portfolio.
The funding will be used at the firm’s Roadchef motorway service area operator business and will see installation (in conjunction with partners) of around 650 fast-charging points across most of its sites.
The upgraded EV charging facilities will be partly powered by new solar energy capacity installed on-site. Collaborating with partners, Roadchef will also pilot charging solutions for HGVs at two key locations across the motorway network whilst developing 100 additional parking bays in preparation for electric HGVs.
