Locate in Kent calls on the government to recognise the importance of Kent and Medway to its UK growth agenda

The new government holds the key to unlocking thousands of jobs and billions of pounds in investment for Kent and Medway if it recognises the region’s importance to achieving growth for the U.K. economy.

This week the new PM Sir Keir Starmer sat down with the mayors of city regions across the U.K. – as well as leaders from Scotland and Wales – to discuss working more closely to deliver growth. Kent and Medway have yet to adopt the mayoral model but research from Locate in Kent suggests the region will make a significant contribution to the government’s growth agenda predicting an additional £23 billion in GVA for the UK economy over the next 25 years as investment is made and projects are delivered.

Nick Fenton, CEO Locate in Kent, said: “Kent and Medway will be pivotal to the success of the new government’s growth ambitions given its strategically important location for the UK as the gateway between London and Europe.

“As the region works towards net zero, Kent and Medway’s future jobs prospects will come from sectors including new methods of food production, evolving communication technologies, life science R&D, advanced manufacturing and green energy.

“Kent and Medway already attracts the highest number of overseas investment projects for the South East, outside the capital, but could play an even bigger role in attracting more business investment and delivering for the U.K.

“That starts with a positive decision this autumn on the Lower Thames Crossing, as well as future private and public investment to deliver sustainable garden communities, improved access to the Channel Ports and recognising the region’s full potential as a life science cluster on a par with the UK’s ‘Golden Triangle’ of London, Oxford and Cambridge.

“We also hope to see support for investment through the government’s new national wealth fund in our ports and development of green hydrogen – already being championed here in the region by companies like Ryze Hydrogen that has chosen Kent to build its multi-million-pound green energy production facility.

“This is a region full of talent and innovation thanks to world leading, research led, industry focused universities, excellent connectivity to London and Europe and a great quality of life. We hope the government recognises that potential as it continues to build support from across the regions of the UK for its growth agenda – from delivering vital planning reform to backing investment in major infrastructure projects and promoting the country to markets around the world.

“The new government holds the key to unlocking thousands of jobs and billions of pounds in investment for Kent and Medway if it recognises the region’s strategic importance to the U.K. economy. We will continue to work with and support our partners at district, county and regional level to argue the case for that to happen.”