York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has launched a 10-year strategy to build on its high performing economy and establish itself as a rural trailblazer, driving growth for the UK in the North.
In December 2024, the English Devolution White Paper set out the government’s plan to devolve power and funding from central government to local leaders. A key part of this was through the development of Local Growth Plans by combined authorities.
York and North Yorkshire’s Local Growth Plan, which is one of the first to achieve formal government approval, outlines how York and North Yorkshire will help to deliver growth in the region and for the UK.
The plan includes increasing the value of the economy (GVA), raising productivity, creating higher-quality and secure jobs, greater access to opportunities, increasing investment and driving the transition to carbon negative.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire said: “Growing York and North Yorkshire’s economy goes hand-in-hand with building healthy and thriving communities.
“York and North Yorkshire is a spectacular place to live with one of the highest performing economies in the North of England. We have a proud history of feeding the UK, powering the UK, connecting the UK, healing the UK, inspiring the UK and protecting the UK – and by continuing to harness all those strengths, we are growing the UK.
“We need government to recognise our strengths as we take our place on the national stage, strengths that can support the UK’s growth ambitions but also help to address issues that face our residents today.
“This plan has been created with those who live, work and do business in York and North Yorkshire at its heart, to deliver better quality and more secure jobs, more affordable homes and provide better connectivity.
“My ambition is simple: to help create places where people can thrive – where good health, good jobs, and a good quality of life are part of everyday experience, not just ambition.”
As part of the Local Growth Plan, Competitive Advantage Sectors have been identified to highlight where York and North Yorkshire is best positioned to accelerate economic growth and productivity at a local and national level. These sectors are:
- Food and Farming Innovation
- Engineering Biology and Life Sciences
- Clean Energy
- Rail Innovation and Security
- Creative Industries
Defence has also been identified as an emerging Competitive Advantage Sector in the Local Growth Plan. These sectors are supported by Priority Drivers of Growth and Key Employment Sectors, such as visitor economy and manufacturing.
Pictured: Business Board Chair Jennifer Wood and Mayor David Skaith
Jennifer Wood, Chair of the Business Board and co-founder of Ripon-based manufacturer O&3 Limited said: “I welcome the creation of the Local Growth Plan as we look to maximise our opportunity to deliver transformative growth not just within our subregion, but across the North and indeed the UK.
“When developing the Local Growth Plan, it was essential to hear the voices of private sector leaders who play such a vital role in driving our economy. As a Business Board, we have been proud to champion those voices and tap into the knowledge and expertise that we proudly possess in York and North Yorkshire.
“The business community within our subregion is diverse with varying strengths and indeed challenges. We boast several major national and global institutions amongst York and North Yorkshire’s 40,000 businesses. However, our strength lies within our many hugely successful smaller sized businesses.
“This plan considers the challenges that face all businesses across our urban, rural and coastal areas and identifies how we can maximise our full economic potential.”
Andy Kerr, Director of Economy at York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority said: “For generations, York and North Yorkshire has been at the forefront of driving innovation and growth. We have a high performing economy with York recognised as the most productive city in the UK and our region being one of the most productive in the North.
“Although York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority is a brand-new organisation, we represent a region that is already driving growth for the UK in the North.
“Our Local Growth Plan has been developed with key stakeholders and complements a suite of strategic plans that have been developed to outline how we will achieve growth in our region.
“York and North Yorkshire has a plan on how to build more homes through our Strategic Place Partnership, an Adult Skills Strategy to match our highly skilled workforce with emerging opportunities, and a Local Visitor Economy Partnership to champion a sector that helps to attract 40 million visitors to the region each year.
“We will continue to work with key stakeholders across the region and beyond to further develop our plans and deliver on our local growth ambitions.”
Professor Charlie Jeffery, Vice-Chancellor at University of York said: “Universities are vital engines for local growth plans, with a distinctive triple impact. First, our pipeline of talented graduates are committed to the area, providing a highly-skilled workforce to support business productivity, growth and innovation.
“Second, our research strengths have driven business and industry priorities in our region; the bioeconomy, agri-tech, food systems, digital creativities, AI safety, rail technologies – all are aligned to key areas of York’s world-leading research.
“Third, that combination of graduate skills and research has helped shape the Mayoral growth plan and our overarching regional economic investment proposition. By combining public, private and academic collaboration, we help shape the opportunities to deliver economic, social and cultural benefits for everyone who lives in York and North Yorkshire.”