I was invited by Peter Edwards who's the Chief Executive at the International Trade Forum, to an event they'd organised at the AMRC last week where James Muir the chair of the SCR LEP gave a presentation about the economy in SY and offered his views on how the region needs to attract more inward investment. Productivity in the South Yorkshire region is quite low compared with other more industrial  areas of the UK and does not compare well with other similar sectors in the EU. It was suggested that a recession will follow even with a deal but if  'no deal' then the  SCR would be hit quite hard. There is quite a significant Productivity divide between the North and the South and a gloomy perspective was forecasted. Infrastructure in the North is archaic particularly when compared to the South. London however bucks all these trends and has the highest productivity in Europe.

Our transport system is archaic and needs major investment; in fact the SCR needs needs huge investment to counter the overall situation

Skills are a major problem with talent moving South for the best jobs. Low skills offer low pay all of which affect the socioeconomic situation in this region

It was suggested that a Joint LEP combined Authority comprising all the Metro Mayors should be considered in a devolution deal for the future growth on the North

A figure of £450,000,000 has been suggested over the next 5 years but it will need very much more in due course for the region to fully revive.

Devolution is the key: We need a Business Growth Strategy to develop Demand, Supply and Skills.

We need to embrace the 4th Industrial Revolution and develop the skills needed to take this forward.

This was a wake up call for the North to collaborate wherever possible to pull the North back from the poor situation it finds itself in.