Heseltine calls for national growth strategy

Aaron Morby 13 years ago
Share

Lord Heseltine has called for the Government to adopt a National Growth Strategy overseen by a powerful new committee headed by the prime minister.

A new National Growth Council would draw up the long-term national plan with “concrete commitments” so it could be held to account, argues the former deputy prime minister.

Last March the Government asked Lord Heseltine to look at ways of boosting economic growth. But his report, published today, will make difficult reading for the Government.

The Conservative peer criticises the Government for a lack of airport strategy and also calls for radical plans to devolve power and budgets to the regions.

He wants to see a single fund of some £49bn, pooled from existing Whitehall budgets, for projects such as housing, skills training and infrastructure.

The mega fund would be made available for regions to bid for through their fledgling Local Enterprise Partnerships, and then spent on agreed local economic plans.

The report, entitled “No Stone Unturned in Pursuit of Growth”, also urges chancellor George Osborne to do more to boost infrastructure spending.

Among 89 recommendations he also calls for a powerful development corporation for the Thames Gateway and calls for district councils to be replaced by unitary authorities.

His proposals were welcomed by civil engineers who have argued for the implementation of a local infrastructure funding model, and for Local Enterprise Partnerships to focus more on the delivery of infrastructure to boost growth.

Civil Engineering Contractors Association director of external affairs Alasdair Reisner said: “CECA has been working with government and others in recent months to try to unlock projects at a local level around the country.

“Heseltine’s recommendations seem to support this work, fostering an environment where local communities will be better able to deliver the priorities for their area.

“But local bodies must step up to match the increasing responsibility that they may be given. We cannot create a situation where councils and Local Enterprise Partnerships develop economic strategies that are mere wish lists of activities that they do not have the capability to deliver.”

Latest news

Alun Griffiths set to rescue firm he sold for £36m

Tarmac to hand back Welsh civils contractor after five years of losses
6 hours ago

Landsec to pump £2bn into new house building drive

Developer to build 6,000 homes as it sells offices to fund new schemes
6 hours ago

Severfield to start steel on McAlpine car battery site

Specialist to start on £4bn site next month after steel package signed-off
7 hours ago

Construction Manager of the Year crowned

Jason Hunt of Willmott Dixon wins for work on Bristol concert hall
7 hours ago

Tide gets go-ahead for over 1,000-home London scheme

Volumetric expert gains planning for co-living homes scheme in Southwark
1 day ago

Vital Energi lands £250m Gatwick decarbonisation deal

Five-year programme to switch airport away from gas heating
7 hours ago

Construction output flickers into life in March

First quarter activity flatlines after slow start to year
1 day ago

Skanska lifts margin to 4.3% as profit hits £78m

Infrastructure and FM drive near-tripling of profits
2 days ago

Mayor backs 46-storey student tower at Canary Wharf

City Hall overturns Tower Hamlets council rejection of 912-bed scheme
2 days ago

Plans go in for 100 acre Port of Tilbury expansion

Construction could start next year on site the size of 70 football pitches
1 day ago

Inland Homes creditors face £38m hit

Administrator confirms no cash for supply chain
2 days ago

Durkan dogged by legacy jobs despite return to trading profit

Durkan scales down new homes contracting to focus on retrofit work
2 days ago

Munnelly founder hands over CEO role to son

Paul David Munnelly steps up to CEO as father becomes chairman
1 day ago

Barking build to rent towers face rebuild

Major remedial work needed on resi scheme built by Shapoorji Pallonji UK Ltd
2 days ago

London new home starts plunge 38% as Building Safety Act bites

Capital only region to see Q1 fall in NHBC new home registrations
3 days ago

Sureserve swoops for rival compliance outfit Kinovo in £56m deal

Recommended cash offer will take AIM listed contractor private
2 days ago

Crown Golf tees up £1bn plan to build 3,000 homes on course land

Major housing plan for spare land on eight UK courses
2 days ago

Green light for Peterborough Station Quarter £48m revamp

First phase to start before the end of the year
2 days ago

Morgan Sindall starts £38m Caerphilly leisure hub

New swimming pool and health suite forms part of town regeneration plan
2 days ago

145 firms win places on £800m building safety framework

Fusion21 confirms latest winners: Full list
3 days ago

Higgins Homes and site workers face manslaughter charges

Contractor and four site staff charged after woman killed by falling pallet of bricks
4 days ago

Operator spots cracked mast on Hinkley tower crane

Hinkley Point C contractor hit with safety notice over failed mast pin and cracks
3 days ago

Countdown starts for £1bn Birmingham highways bid race

Council will break-up mega framework into five lots
3 days ago

Acciona wins £400m Thames waterworks upgrade

Lea Valley Coppermills water treatment works to get full overhaul
3 days ago

Pension giants pledge £25bn for infrastructure push

Seventeen pension providers pledge to invest in projects
3 days ago

Safety row over London tower ducking fire regs by 30cm

Fire union calls on Mayor to block Bromley flats plan over single staircase
3 days ago

Midgard lands £145m deal to build Edition Birmingham

Construction to start shortly on twin residential towers
4 days ago

McAleer & Rushe set to break £500m turnover barrier

Pre-tax profit jumped 16% to £46m last year
4 days ago

Top design team picked for £2.5bn York Central scheme

Massive city centre regen scheme moves to detailed design
4 days ago

MoD to bid £100m command HQ enabling works

Hertfordshire joint forces command centre expansion advances
4 days ago

Contractor services