Economic Growth in West Cumbria

The project will provide match funding support to Cumbria LEP (CLEP) to deliver its economic priorities in West Cumbria, targeted on the Allerdale and Copeland District area boundaries.

CLEP will ensure that there is specific support provided to assist businesses to navigate the significant challenges resulting from a 40 year high rate of inflation. This is at a point that businesses are still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing the changed trading environment following EU Exit.

Sellafield Investment

£890,000

Timeline

Continuous investment

Outcome

Aims/expected outcomes:

Produce a Productivity Plan for West Cumbria
Develop a specific Labour Supply Action Plan for West Cumbria, which focuses on the issues and actions specifically relevant to the area
Launch refreshed Our Future (young people in West Cumbria) and Your Future (people living outside Cumbria) campaigns, specifically promoting the opportunities of living, working and investing in West Cumbria.
Delivery of a minimum of 100 Skills Bootcamps places in West Cumbria to provide Level 3-5 training in line with recognised skills priorities.
STEP Application – continuing to promote the case via profile raising activity in the House of Commons and at a regional partners event on 2 September
SMR Siting – host an event in the House of Lords to promote Cumbria’s case for early stage siting in West Cumbria
Heavy Pressure Vessel – further develop the case for siting in Cumberland following Rolls Royce’s shortlisting of Kingmoor Park for the siting of this manufacturing facility.
Business Decarbonisation Carbon Intensive Programme – working with the most carbon intensive industries in West Cumbria – Sellafield, Iggesund Holmen, First Milk and Innovia/Futamura to reduce their carbon footprint.
Business Decarbonisation Grant Programme – providing grant support to 10 SME businesses to reduce their carbon footprint.
Delivery of innovation grant support to 10 businesses in West Cumbria, assumed value £250,000.
Increasing Inward and FDI Investment – secure £20 million of investment in business activity in West Cumbria
Improving Business Start Ups and Growth – providing direct business support advice to 100 businesses to help them start or grow their business.
Ensuring that 11,976 young people in Years 7-11 receive a meaningful employer encounter.
Engaging 16 institutions in the Cumbria Careers Hub and providing all of these with an Enterprise Adviser; dedicated enterprise Co-Ordinator and up to date Labour Market Intelligence.
Case for Energy Coast Rail Upgrade to be made to DfT and Network Rail and if this proceeds to full business case an investment by CLEP of £250,000 to be made in developing the Full Business Case.