The Eastern Powerhouse has entered its second year, and we are delighted to present our forward plan, including events and advocacy for attracting investment in the region. In addition to the many networking opportunities with Local MPs and Councils, we will be running 3 Thematic Events (Skills; Innovation; Infrastructure) and 4 Sectoral Events (Green Energy; Life Sciences; Agri-Tech; Manufacturing), which will be accompanied by Sectoral Profiles, providing an in-depth look of what each sector needs to further grow. Download our 2023 - 2024 Prospectus and Programme of Activity

On Monday 3rd April 2023, the Chair of the Eastern Powerhouse, James Palmer, wrote to The Rt Hon Mark Harper MP, Secretary of State for Transport, urging the Department to include the Ely North Junction upgrade in the next rail control period. In the letter, James Palmer stressed that "If the East of England is to realise it's huge potential as a world leader in science, green energy, agritech and technology, connectivity is key and to improve journey times by rail, Ely must be improved." You can find the full letter here:

By James Palmer, Chair, Eastern Powerhouse People in Britain want to use the train. Between 1997 and 2014 passenger usage went up by 88% and the UK is the 5th most used rail network in the world, despite having the 23rd largest population. Despite this, it is the accepted norm that train travel in the East of England is slow and expensive. Little has changed East of Peterborough in the past 40 years, small amounts of electrification here and there and a couple of new stations, yet barely a nod to the increase in train usage and certainly nothing as exciting as a long term plan to upgrade and encourage use. The Department for Transport may suggest that the lack of population density doesn’t require added capacity but considering the growth of the economy here in the same time period, it feels like a huge opportunity missed. It is difficult not to look with envy at the money currently being lavished on the rail network in the midlands and the north. Whilst the new link between Cambridge and Bedford is welcome, it hardly amounts to an upgrade of the current system, nor does it address the challenges that face a growing economy in the East of England. In fact, to suggest that the wrongly titled East West rail link is anything more than an absolute bargain basement solution would be to stretch the truth considerably. In the East though, we have grown weary of banging our heads against the wall and so blindy accept that any investment is welcome, when frankly, what is offered are the crumbs left behind under the altar of national rail policy. The economy in the East is considerably hampered by the quality of the network. It takes 30 minutes less to travel to London from Leicester than from Norwich, a 45 min journey to central London from Tunbridge Wells is almost half the price of the same length journey from Cambridge. Why? It certainly doesn’t feel like a level playing field. Our trains should be used to hop from town to city in the region but lack of regularity and a slow network mean that our rail is under utilised and that is felt most keenly in the housing hotspots across the region. Yet the East offers government a huge opportunity for change. East of the mainline to Edinburgh, we have a self-contained network that is independent of the rest of UK rail. It is well known that international investors are keen to get into the UK market – and no wonder, given the statistics mentioned above. Surely there is a franchise opportunity for the East that must be explored? The government has recognised the need for an East West link but it falls short, stopping at Cambridge rather than Felixstowe, surely they also recognise that investment into rail in the East will show them significant return at the treasury, particularly if that investment comes from the international private sector? Since the rail network in the East was developed by the Victorians, little has changed. It was once thought that the peak of rail usage was the early 50’s, yet the railway is used more now than ever. The easiest way to move people and freight remains the rail and there is a way to bring that rail network kicking and screaming into the 21st Century. I suggest to government, if you open the door to franchising here in the East, it will set a template for the future policy of Network Rail.

On 23rd February, the Eastern Powerhouse hosted its first annual Conference, ‘A Growth Vision for the East’. Speakers and participants discussed the opportunities for growth in three key thematic areas – Skills, Innovation, Infrastructure – and what investment and policy interventions are needed: Skills Keynote speaker Sir Philip Augar emphasised the importance of skills, alongside investment and science, in meeting the UK’s productivity challenge. The most important priority is for a substantial refunding of the FE & Skills sector to reverse the downward trend in real terms funding over the past decade. “The Productivity issue will be solved with a combination of Investment, Science, and Skills. Investment needs to come from Government, Business, and Learners. It needs to be a mix.” Sir Philip Augar The expert panel reflected on the situation in the East of England, where travel to learn is a real barrier for students of all ages given the weak transport infrastructure. We need to raise aspirations amongst young people and make them more aware of all the options available. Schools currently don’t value vocational courses sufficiently, so teachers and parents need information, advice and guidance, as well as students. Both Anglia Ruskin - with ARU Peterborough the youngest Higher Education Institute in England - West Suffolk College and the University of Suffolk are very vocationally focused and work actively with businesses to meet skills gaps, but the post-16 education system is complex and fragmented. One practical step forward would be the creation of a regional Skills Hub, a “one stop shop” where skill-seekers and employers could get full information on opportunities. (Moderated by: Dr Marius Ostrowski, Executive Director, Lifelong Education Commission Speakers: Sir Philip Augar; Prof. Helen Langton, Vice-Chancellor, University of Suffolk; Prof. Ross Renton, Principal, ARU Peterborough; Candy Richards, Development Manager, Federation of Small Businesses; Dr Nikos Savvas, CEO, Eastern Colleges Group) Innovation This session discussed the importance of innovation to long term productivity and growth. It began with a conceptual understanding of innovation as it applies to different types and size of business with insights from UKRI and the Digital Catapult about the role of public policy and research institutions in stimulating research and development. “We have a landscape that is littered with the heritage of various policies and strategies on innovation over the years. The more we can align, the more effective we can be.” Dr Jeremy Silver, CEO, Digital Catapult Generally, publicly funded innovation programmes have a push pull approach – looking for specific projects in specific sectors but also open to new approaches. Both UKRI and the Digital Catapult stated their ability to grant fund at scale. We heard that the East of England is endowed with knowledge-intensive and innovation-led sectors in new science and technology industries, such as life sciences, green energy, agritech, and information technology. Much of this is clustered around the world-class universities of Cambridge but there are other beacons of light across the region including: Norwich Research Park specialising in biotech, agritech and medical science; Adastral Park, in Ipswich, home to a global cluster of high-tech telecommunication and technology companies; and Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, a leading location for companies to develop and commercialise cutting edge therapeutics and gene cell technologies. R&D funding in these industries is critical to increasing prosperity through the adoption of new products and services, and the creation of higher-wage jobs. But the uneven distribution of innovation and economic gains can potentially widen regional inequalities. Increasing public and private investment for R&D, universities and other research institutions is therefore a crucial element in boosting innovation in the East of England. Panel members, which included Innovation leaders in the region like Lotus Cars and NIAB, spoke to the problems of relative skill shortages, transport infrastructure constraints, and a failure of public innovation policy to support clusters beyond the ‘golden triangle’ as a key barrier to boosting the growth potential of the East. Overcoming these constraints will be vital to those firms and sectors in which innovation activity is concentrated and in helping to crowd in smaller firms that may benefit from R&D. Innovation policy, and public expenditure, in the UK needs to be more direct and less place-blind in order to narrow regional disparities. (Moderated by: Phillip Blond, Director, Eastern Powerhouse Speakers: David Rogers, Deputy Director – Investment Strategy, UKRI; Dr Jeremy Silver, CEO, Digital Catapult; Prof. Mario Caccamo, CEO, NIAB; Dr Sally Ann Forsyth OBE, CEO, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst; Jane Hutchins, Director, Cambridge Science Park; Matt Windle, Group VP and MD, Lotus Cars) Infrastructure The panel discussed the requirements for investing in energy, rail and housing and the vital role this will play in economic growth, creating tens of thousands of jobs across the region, including some of the most deprived rural and coastal communities. Transport is perhaps the most visible indicator of how limited infrastructure is holding back growth in the region. East-West rail will significantly improve connectivity between two of our country’s fastest growing innovation hubs (Oxford and Cambridge) but upgrades to the regional network must be extended to the main economic centres (Norwich, Ipswich, Peterborough) and beyond to coastal towns and communities. The panel discussed the concept of 30-minute cities and how better connections can improve commuting and accessibility while reducing the region’s carbon footprint. The upgrade to Ely North is central to this vision. The region’s transport network should provide the basis for a spatial plan that can drive future development, densifying business activity and housing in and around major transport hubs as well as building along major corridors. Panellists discussed the difficulties of building housing, at scale, across different planning authorities and the need for improvements to the region’s energy grid so that the East can take advantage of its natural resources and assets to create green and sustainable energy. A spatial strategy for the whole region will guide investment in infrastructure that can connect places – cities, towns, villages - to grow the regional economy as part of an integrated and coherent industrial strategy. (Moderated by: James Palmer, Chair, Eastern Powerhouse Speakers: Lord Andrew Lansley, Chair, Cambridge Development Forum Sarah Jane Crawford, Principal Programme Sponsor – Anglia Route, Network Rail; Andy Hill OBE, Chief Executive, The Hill Group; Mark Sommerfeld, Head of Power & Flexibility, Renewable Energy Association; Beth West, CEO, East West Rail; Peter Whitmore, Managing Director – East, Morgan Sindall)

REGISTER About the Conference The East of England is one of the most economically successful regions in the country. Despite this, several barriers to growth and prosperity exist, which require a bold and unifying policy vision to address them. Filling skills gaps, fostering innovation at scale, and upgrading infrastructure are the three areas of concern that Businesses and Local Authorities are consistently identifying as the ones holding back the region’s prospects. With this in mind, the Eastern Powerhouse is organising its inaugural Conference on 23rd February in Cambridge, bringing together Business Leaders, Politicians, Policymakers, and wider stakeholders, to discuss how the East can attract both Government and Private attention and investment, to untap its true potential. Benefits of attending Influence the region’s policy asks, which the Eastern Powerhouse will take to Government Learn more on how your sector and organisation can be impacted from current policy thinking Gain a better understanding of business opportunities that exist Engage in high-level networking throughout the day

The UK is facing a pressing economic challenge. After a decade of slow growth and rising inequalities, the situation has been worsened by the impact of Covid, adjustments to the UK’s exit from Europe, and runaway inflation, as the nation battles rising costs and falling growth. The Eastern Powerhouse is holding its Conference on 23rd February, to discuss how the East of England can lead the growth agenda, to reduce the UK’s regional divides, and unlock growth. The region has the 4th largest economy in the UK, with leading businesses in key sectors and many world-class economic assets, that can meet looming societal challenges and drive productivity. Yet the region could achieve so much more. With the right institutional arrangements, and appropriate level of Government support, the East can focus and harness its talent to lever investment and connect areas of opportunity and potential. To achieve this, the region must deliver on the three big challenges that threaten to hold back growth in the East – Skills, Innovation, and Infrastructure. Skills The distribution of high level skills are critically important to economic performance but the UK has fallen behind many international competitors, especially in higher technical and vocational skills that directly contribute to productivity. At the same time, the East of England lags the UK in the proportion of working aged people with a higher level qualification, with widening differences in skill levels and educational attainment across the region. How can these disparities be addressed to fix deepening labour shortages and widening skill gaps across a range of regional businesses? What is the role of employers and education providers in helping to align skills provision with the needs of the regional economy? Innovation The East of England is at the vanguard of new science and technology industries, including life sciences, green energy, agritech, and information technology. These knowledge-intensive and innovation-led sectors are key drivers of long-term productivity growth. R&D funding in these industries is critical to increasing prosperity through the adoption of new products and services, and the creation of higher-wage jobs. But the uneven distribution of innovation and economic gains can potentially widen regional inequalities. Increasing public and private investment for R&D, universities and other research institutions is therefore a crucial element in boosting innovation in the East of England. What do the region’s leading sectors need to drive innovation? Will a regional industrial strategy enable innovation and growth? How can the benefits of this productive growth be shared across the region? Infrastructure Infrastructure investment has a vital role in economic growth. It can enable the creation of tens of thousands of well-paid, skilled jobs across some of the most deprived parts of the region. Yet decades of underinvestment in the East means essential development in transport, housing, broadband, energy, and health lag behind the Greater South-East. Transport is perhaps the most visible indicator of how limited infrastructure is holding back growth in the region. A spatial strategy for the whole region is needed to guide investment in infrastructure that can connect places - villages, towns, and cities - and grow the regional economy as part of an integrated and coherent industrial strategy. These should be intrinsically linked to an overarching growth agenda for the East. Can a Spatial Strategy guide infrastructure investment and improve how the region functions as a whole? What is needed to optimise transport and increase digital connectivity? How can the region take advantage of the natural resources and assets to create green energy and a sustainable future? Join us at the EPH Conference on Thursday 23rd February in Cambridge, to discuss with experts, businesses, and policymakers on what we can do to address these challenges on a regional level.

IMPORTANT | This is a senior appointment, and applicants’ experience should be reflective of the role’s requirements. Please read the job description carefully before applying: About the Eastern Powerhouse The Eastern Powerhouse, hosted by ResPublica, is the leading voice of business and civic leadership across the East of England. It platforms the whole of the East as a single interconnected region, encompassing its coastal towns, rural villages, and world-class cities. The aim is to showcase the region’s untapped potential and unlock the many opportunities for growth, and to convince businesses and government to invest in this burgeoning economic powerhouse. About this role This is a senior-level position. We are looking for someone with at least ten (10) years’ professional experience. PhD holders with fewer years of experience would also be considered. This role offers a unique opportunity to work with high profile business partners, and shape policy ideas for the East of England. We would be keen to employ someone with extensive experience in stakeholder engagement and outreach management, especially in a corporate or trade association environment, as well as a flair for public policy innovation and an eye for detail. Key responsibilities Reporting to the Eastern Powerhouse Director, Phillip Blond, you will lead the external engagement function, by being methodical in your work and by taking charge of the organisation’s outreach plan, including current Members, prospective Members, and wider stakeholders; Have a prominent part in both Business and Membership Development, with the ability to excite prospective clients on the value we can deliver for them, as well as to incite projects based on their needs; Support the Eastern Powerhouse Chair, James Palmer, in his efforts to attract new Members, which includes keeping a thorough record of meetings and their outcomes, and following-up with leads; Represent the Eastern Powerhouse in external events, and secure speaking opportunities for the Chair, the Director, and yourself, where possible; Draft high-level content, including briefs for business leaders, politicians, and policymakers, press releases, blog articles, etc.; Contribute in the drafting of policy papers, project proposals, and event briefs You have A proven track record of engaging with high-profile individuals, especially with Businesses or Politicians (e.g. CEOs, Ministers, MPs, etc.); You may have previous experience on a professional body, a trade association, a regional business association or equivalent; A proven track record of your organisational skills, being able to independently project-manage outreach programmes, while coordinating with other members of the team; Strong knowledge of the UK’s public policy landscape, with an in-depth understanding of at least one of the following policy areas: devolution, governance, public service reform, business and enterprise, local economic development, employment, education, and skills; The ability to think innovatively and creatively about outreach methods; The ability to read the relevant political landscape and anticipate where policy agendas are going; Excellent writing and communication skills; Strong academic credentials, including a high 2:1 or 1st-class undergraduate degree. We offer The opportunity to be seen as the voice of the organisation, alongside the Chair The opportunity to expand your network, with Business Leaders, Politicians, and Policymakers A thought-provoking work environment, advancing the needs of the population residing in the East of England and beyond. Your background We are open to candidates from a wide range of professional backgrounds, such as public policy roles in Government and non-governmental organisations, research and consultancy, communications, business development, academia, and public affairs. ResPublica places a high value on equality and diversity, and we are committed to promoting an inclusive working environment as we expand our team. Our commitment flows from our fundamental principles of society, prosperity, and virtue, through which we aim to strengthen social bonds, foster opportunity, and empower everyone to reach their potential. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, especially candidates who belong to historically underrepresented groups, or who identify as meeting one or more legally protected characteristics. Fundamentally, we are looking for someone who believes in and supports the mission of ResPublica and the ideas that we advocate. Terms This is a full-time permanent position. However, we are open to a fixed-term contract or consultancy appointment, full time, or part time. The position can be based in London or in one of the Counties in which the Eastern Powerhouse operates: Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Lincolnshire, Herefordshire, Bedfordshire. We require presence in our London office one day a week (usually Wednesdays), with remote working for the rest of the time. Occasional travel across the region will be required. Application method The deadline for applying for the position is 10th March 2023. We will be interviewing candidates on a rolling basis and we may appoint earlier than the closing date. If you are interested, please submit your application as soon as possible. If you are interested in working with us, please send your CV, and a cover letter referencing your relevant knowledge, skills, and experience, to jobs@respublica.org.uk. Please include ‘Deputy Director – Eastern Powerhouse’ in the subject line of your email.

Following the Prime Minister’s Cabinet reshuffle, the Eastern Powerhouse welcomes the new focus on science, innovation, and technology from Government, with the new Departments created to enhance growth opportunities in these key industries. Last week, with the support of 22 MPs, the Eastern Powerhouse wrote to the Prime Minister to ask for parity of recognition with other similar regional organisations. The letter urged the Prime Minister to take a strategic approach to the region so that it can realise its full potential. Calling for an Independent Economic Review and a Spatial Analysis for the East of England, the letter highlighted the economic dividends that can accrue to the whole of the country, if the Government were to take steps to tap the significant potential of the East. The Eastern Powerhouse, a business-led organisation, stated that the region can deliver the highest rises in growth and productivity for the least amount of investment, relative to other regions. The East of England is already a 'world-leading' region for a number of sectors, recognised for its assets in: Life sciences and the growing markets of drug discovery and development, genomics, and medical technology or medtech. Agritech, covering plant breeding and microbial research, agronomy, and robotics. Advanced materials and manufacturing in aerospace and defence, automotive, construction, and offshore renewable energy industries, and Information and communications technology (ICT), with globally influential businesses like ARM Holdings, and emerging business clusters in Norwich and Ipswich. As the UK’s capital of science, technology, and energy, no region is better placed to drive the future economy of the UK than the East of England, and the Eastern Powerhouse will write to the newly appointed ministers, Grant Shapps, Michelle Donelan, and Kemi Badenoch to offer our support in creating policies that benefit the East and therefore, the UK as a whole. The Eastern Powerhouse also welcome George Freeman’s appointment as the first Minister of Science in the new Department of Science, Innovation and Technology. James Palmer, Chair of the Eastern Powerhouse Chair said: “The East is best placed to deliver new growth in the key areas of renewable energy, science and technology. Government has recognised the importance of those industries by creating departments specifically focused on building on the opportunities that they offer. We will urge Government to create policies that are focused on what can be achieved here in the East of England.” The UK’s industrial strategy has been characterised by policies that are too often prematurely dropped or rolled back. The latest change of course must provide a stable policy platform that is forward-looking, long-term, and enables far better decision making at the local and regional level. This will give confidence to businesses and investors. Phillip Blond, Director of the Eastern Powerhouse, said: “The UK has an opportunity to focus on the country’s key economic assets that are manifestly present in the East, to meet looming societal challenges, and drive productivity. The missing piece in the UK’s productivity puzzle has been the inability to focus and harness institutional arrangements at the regional level, to lever investment, and to connect areas of opportunity and potential. With the right level of support the East of England can lead the regional growth agenda.”

On 1st February 2023, more than 20 of the East of England's MPs have written to the Prime Minister urging him to take a strategic approach to the region so that it can realise its full potential. You can find the full text of the letter, below. Dear Prime Minister, RE: Independent Economic Review and a Spatial Analysis for the East of England We write as Members of Parliament for constituencies in the East of England - an area of huge untapped potential - and as board members of the Eastern Powerhouse, the business led organisation that was set up to supercharge the region. Over the summer, members of the Eastern Powerhouse wrote to you concerning the main factors that are hampering growth in the East of England, and also outlined a plan for growing the economy of the region by tackling these obstacles. Following this, at the leadership hustings event in Norwich, you committed to deliver one of the infrastructure projects that was flagged as a top priority, the Ely North railway junction. We were very grateful to you for this undertaking, which we trust remains in place, and hope it signals the beginning of a step-change in investment in the East. Our earlier letter to you enumerated the economic dividends that can accrue to the whole of the country if a government led by you were to take steps to tap the significant potential of the East. The East can deliver the highest rises in growth and productivity for the least amount of investment, relative to other regions. The economic dividends for UK plc would be considerable. We estimate that, if the East of England were able to level up to the South-East (excluding London), we could deliver an extra £31.2bn a year in GDP for the national economy. That would mean £11.5bn of additional tax-take for the Exchequer, and an annual increase in disposable income of £3,100 for every resident in the East of England. Today, however the East is losing out to other parts of the UK. It has received 40% less Levelling-Up funding than other regions and a much lower share of public investment. In 2020/21, transport spending in the East was just £678 per head, compared with £1,476 per head in London, and it currently sits below the UK average of £737. The East also has the lowest health spend per capita in the country (£2,974 compared with £3,271 nationally) and a lower-than-average national education spend (£1,357 compared with £1,428). We are keen that your administration should work with the Eastern Powerhouse to deliver an independent economic review and a spatial analysis for the East, so that we can identify specific constraints on growth and seek to remove them quickly and effectively. We, as the business-led regional organisation in the East, ask for parity with the other regional organisations in the country and would seek similar levels of recognition and support from government. We want the Eastern Powerhouse to be a partner to Government in shaping policy for the major problems that are stifling our region. To this end, I would greatly appreciate a meeting to agree common objectives and priorities. We would be delighted to welcome you in the East, as and when your diary permits. Yours sincerely, James Palmer, Chair, Eastern Powerhouse On behalf of the following signatories: East of England MPs Matt Warman MP (coordinating the letter in Parliament) Peter Aldous MP Richard Bacon MP Duncan Baker MP John Baron MP Paul Bristow MP Anthony Browne MP Jonathan Djanogly MP Vicky Ford MP Matt Hancock MP Sir John Hayes MP Oliver Heald MP Tom Hunt MP Caroline Johnson MP Edward Leigh MP Brandon Lewis MP Jerome Mayhew MP Stephen Metcalfe MP Karl McCartney MP Andrew Selous MP Chloe Smith MP Giles Watling MP Eastern Powerhouse Advisory Board Members Phillip Blond, Director, Eastern Powerhouse Roz Bird, CEO, Anglia Innovation Partnership Prof. Mario Caccamo, CEO, NIAB Simon Darby, Director, East of England, PLMR Genesis Martyn Fordham, Managing Director, Asynt Sean Milbank, Chair, The Milbank Group Cllr. Colin Noble, Councillor, Suffolk County Council and West Suffolk Council Candy Richards, Development Manager, FSB Drew Ritchie, CEO, Upp William Rooke, Partner, Head of Eastern Commercial, Carter Jonas David Ruddy, Executive Director Strategic Growth and Partnerships, West Suffolk College Warren Salmons, Business Development, Morgan Sindall Prashant Shah, co-CEO and co-founder, o2h Matt Windle, Group VP and MD, Lotus Cars

PRESS RELEASE Region's MPs back Eastern Powerhouse in letter to Rishi Sunak More than 20 of the East of England's MPs have today written to the Prime Minister urging him to take a strategic approach to the region so that it can realise its full potential. Writing in support of the Eastern Powerhouse, alongside the organisation's Advisory Board Members, the MPs call on government to take measures that could see the East deliver an extra £31.2bn of economic growth and some £11bn in additional tax revenue. As the leading voice of business and civic leadership across the East of England, the Eastern Powerhouse is asking for parity of recognition and support with other regional organisations in the United Kingdom, and a coordinated approach that researches, recognises, and advances the ideas and policies required for growth that would help this vital part of the country to flourish. We welcome recent investments into Sizewell C, Freeport East, and Peterborough and we see a clear opportunity to work with Government to deliver strategies that take full advantage of them, and others in the future. James Palmer, Chair of the Eastern Powerhouse, said: "No part of the United Kingdom is better placed to drive the national economy over the next 50 years than the East. The East is the UK's capital of science, innovation, energy and agritech. We are offering to work with government to create a framework of policies that take advantage of what the East has to offer, whilst simultaneously levelling up our most deprived areas." Matt Warman MP, who co-ordinated the letter in Parliament, said: "From Lincolnshire to Essex, the East has a unique and unrivalled combination of assets and opportunities. The government's focus on maximising every area's potential could see the East deliver more for everyone who lives there and more tax revenue to fund vital public services. I look forward to the Government engaging with the Eastern Powerhouse to realise that as quickly as possible.” Phillip Blond, Director of the Eastern Powerhouse, said: “Restoring growth and prosperity to the country requires a co-ordinated and focused approach to the regions, the problems that limit and constrain growth: skills, infrastructure, energy and investment are often beyond the reach of many places to solve. Only by working on a regional basis can these issues be successfully tackled. The East of England is an area full of economic potential and activity that can go to scale with the right regional vision and approach.” For Media Enquiries, please contact Mike Mavrommatis mike@easternpowerhouse.uk

On 6th December 2022, the Eastern Powerhouse welcomed Mid Norfolk MP, George Freeman, Richard Holt from Oxford Economics, and Matthew Bullock from Cambridge Ahead, and discussed why the East needs investment and support to enable prosperity and growth that will also benefit the whole of the UK.

Overview Situated on the coastline of the Wash, Boston is a historic market and port town in South Lincolnshire. It is the largest town in the wider Borough of Boston with a population of 46,506 compared to a population of 70,800 for the local authority district (*Population figures based on ONS 2020 mid-year estimates). Boston's most important industries are food production, haulage, and logistics. The Port of Boston handles more than one million tons of cargo per year including the import of steel and timber and the export of grain. Other notable industries include shell fishing; light industry; and tourism. The town and port are relatively well connected by rail and by trunk roads including the A16 and the A52. Figure 1: Travel to work areas in Lincolnshire Source: ONS, 2016 The Boston Travel to Work Area (TTWA) expands the functional reach of the town’s economic geography beyond the local government boundary, although it is relatively self-contained, with the majority of people (82,478) both working and living within the area. The economy Boston, as defined by the local authority boundary, is home to approximately 35,000 jobs and 2,295 businesses. It is a rural district with some of the most fertile land in the UK. It has long been associated with the food sector and is considered a major growth area. The agri-food sector underpins the economy of the town, with 29% of local jobs in the sector compared to 4% nationally. Boston is a strategic location for major national and international food businesses, including Bakkavor, Greencore, Green Yard Frozen Foods, Albert Barlett, JDM Food Group, Jakemans Confectionary, and also home to Agri-food supply chains including machinery & equipment manufacturing, research, cold storage, packaging, labelling, and logistics. Such companies include Port of Boston, Fountain Plants, Turners Distribution, Coveris, Reflex Labels, Alpego (UK) Ltd, T&B Containers, and Mastenbroek. This economic activity is contributing over 1.5billion to the region’s GDP. Yet the town could go much further with the right conditions for growth. Boston has a very low level of business births, just over 20 per 10,000 population - a third of the England average - and has a very ‘static’ economy with a level of business ‘churn’ 50% less than the England average (ONS). Boston is also 18% points behind the national average when it comes to workers involved in Knowledge Intensive Businesses (KIBS). This reinforces the need to focus on upskilling and new technology to create higher-skills, higher-paying jobs. The Town has already seen significant investments. A business-led consortium is leading plans to develop the Port of Boston as a specialist food port to support the food chain in South Lincolnshire and the wider region, with over 70,000 jobs in this sector across South Lincolnshire and the Fens. Quality of life and affordability The historic character of the town, the quality of the natural environment, schools of a generally high standard, low levels of crime, and good housing are important attributes that make Boston a desirable place to live and work. Housing affordability has been an issue in Boston due to in-migration reducing the existing supply of available housing and driving up house prices and rents. Median house prices in Boston are almost 8 times the median wage, in line with the national average. A limited supply of new housing has increased reliance on the private rented sector to meet housing need amongst those who cannot afford to buy. The situation has levelled in recent years, but there is a need to address the increasing gap between household incomes and rising rents by building more affordable housing in the town and wider region. The town is also struggling with its health outcomes and is in the lowest third of all areas in England for this indicator. Public services, including health, have faced unprecedented pressures resulting from a sharp increase in population caused by newcomers to the area that was neither planned nor predicted. Improving the quality of housing, schools, and health services is something which residents feel strongly about and will contribute significantly to the overall quality and wellbeing of the town. Challenges and opportunities 1. Town Deal In 2021, Boston secured £21.9M in Town Deal funding from the government to deliver an ambitious vision that will level up Boston and bring transformational improvements. The Boston Town Deal aims to make the town an exciting place to live, work, invest, and visit for generations to come. It will: Support an aspirational, skilled, and healthy population Create sustainable economic growth Increase pride in place, and Launch Boston into the future, building on its unique heritage. Boston’s little known but internationally notable cluster of heritage buildings is testament to the town’s previous wealth. The Town Deal is an opportunity to rekindle this former status by encouraging new investment into the local economy. The plan is to maximise the range and quality of jobs in the High Street and Heritage sectors and increase the number of people working in Knowledge Intensive Businesses, including the digital and learning sectors. This will help to begin future-proofing the retail core and town centre against the decline of the traditional high street-based offer. The plan will also contribute on the economic potential of - and strongly distinctive feature of - the port and its associated food and logistics sector as attraction for investment and bigger scale ventures. 2. The workforce and skills to drive economic growth In recent decades Boston has depended on a high inflow of migrant workers, primarily from Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and elsewhere in Eastern Europe who have made their home in and around Boston. This has helped to combat the disadvantages of an ageing population. However, there are presently fewer people in the working age group (59.7%) than the national average (62.4%) which does not bode well for the productive capacity of the local workforce. Boston has a low skilled population with 26.1% having a qualification at level 4 or above, significantly below the national average (43.5%). Low skills are contributing to low employment rates (70.2% compared to 74.8% nationally) and a relatively low waged economy, with resident earnings (£497.40) below the regional and national average (£628.6). Improving the skill levels among the resident population will be essential to achieving future economic growth. Local education institutions are integral to this aspiration. Boston College is the fifth best college in the UK. Its new Engineering, Manufacturing and Technology Centre (EMAT) alongside a new Digital, Transport and Logistics Academy will provide the skills training to support agri-food and related logistics and transportation industries with a focus on digital innovation and technologies for the future. The University of Lincoln and the National Centre for Food Manufacturing also support the delivery of skills development direct and to supply chains in the local and regional economy. The University is key to the new Food Enterprise Zone based at Holbeach, 10 miles from Boston creating high value food chain innovation and support services, pioneering research, skills provision, and knowledge exchange for agri-food businesses across Lincolnshire and beyond. There is a need to develop STEM skills across the Boston area, which the introduction of T-Levels and Higher Technical Qualifications can help to address. There is also a need to increase aspiration and heighten career awareness of opportunities. By working collaboratively across the education system at all levels, and proactively engaging business to invest in their skills gaps, Boston can encourage and support the retention and growth of local businesses whilst raising the profile of the borough as a place to invest, live and work. 3. Transport and connectivity Boston is served by relatively good transport links. The A17 corridor linking to the A1(M) to the west and east A47 to Norwich Research Parks, and the A16 road linking south to Peterborough, Cambridge and the M11 provides strong connectivity to the East of England. However, problems with road congestion are already apparent and these are likely to increase in line with a rising working age population and increased commuter journeys. Car travel remains the dominant for of transport and there is a need to improve public transport use and to facilitate a high cycling use along key transport corridors. Reducing the adverse impacts of travel, particularly from private cars and road-based freight, while more efficiently connecting Boston to other centres will be important to sustainable growth. Plans to improve local transport include: upgrades to existing bus stations to improve passenger experience with better waiting facilities and information; a new town centre public transport hub; and the introduction of measures that prioritise bus movements at congested locations, such as the A16 south of Boston; circular bus routes, which assists operators to run an efficient and punctual service; better bus provision to key employment areas, such as the Industrial Estates on Marsh Lane and Skirbeck Quarter to support shift workers during early and late hours. Rail links to the town and the port are good. But there is a need for the Train Operating Companies and the Department for Transport to provide increased and more direct services to connect to wider destinations and to find ways to increase the use of rail to transport freight. Development of the Port of Boston, connecting to local, regional, national and international markets is vital to the main export potential of Boston’s food production industries. Links to Rotterdam’s global food trading hub is a major opportunity for future UK food imports and exports. Boston is looking to trial Rotterdam feeder vessels (150-200 containers) to service local food manufacturers and supply chains including Freshlinc, Fowler Welsh (Culina), Turners Distribution. Summary Boston is a place which has the potential for strong sustainable growth. But as with many other small coastal towns, it has some challenges. These issues include low skill levels, housing affordability problems and considerable health inequalities. If Boston is to achieve its ambition to grow the economy, it will need to level up outcomes for the resident population while continuing to attract talent from outside the region.