A new strategy to ensure the Leeds economy works for everyone

As part of the next phase of the Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy, nine 'big ideas’ to deliver inclusive growth, focusing on people, place and productivity, have been agreed by senior councilors this week.

The new Strategy 2030 provides a framework for tackling the challenges facing Leeds and meeting the Council’s Better City ambitions, including tackling poverty and inequality, poor health and meeting our zero carbon commitments. It builds on an earlier successful strategy that helped drive inclusive growth in Leeds between 2018 and 2023.

People are the bedrock of any city’s economy and a key theme of the strategy outlines the ambition to tackle issues around poverty and inequality, ensure education and training meet local needs to reflect the rapidly changing labor market and approach Leeds is set for the future. Talent program launched last year.

Putting places first and working for everyone is the second theme of the strategy. The strategy outlines how the council will invest in places and transport to deliver a sustainable economy and greener future. It will help connect and strengthen communities by ensuring town and local centers thrive, and ensure jobs and housing are delivered in the right places.

This is reflected in work around the South Leeds Gateway, linking the hospital, health and life sciences assets at St James’s University Hospital and Leeds General Infirmary to Morley through the city centre. 15,000 new houses.

The final theme focuses on unlocking productivity, enabling businesses to innovate and grow in the face of change. Delivering the Council’s vision for innovation is key to ensuring a greener and more inclusive future, and the strategy outlines how this will be achieved by supporting diverse innovators and entrepreneurs capable of creating high-growth businesses.

The Council will continue to invest in the city’s innovation infrastructure, including the Innovation Curve, to create a hub of global significance. It will open more than one million square feet of innovation space and bring together entrepreneurs, start-ups and businesses to accelerate growth, share ideas and increase access to capital.

Businesses will continue to be supported to become more productive and adapt to change, and outlines how the council will improve Leeds as a global place for people to visit, live, work and invest.

Leeds has a thriving digital community and the strategy outlines how this will be built on by positioning Leeds as a digital city and facilitating growth in this sector by developing the necessary infrastructure and skills.

With the power of collaboration as a key principle, the new strategy builds on the success of the Leeds Anchors network, created by the city’s biggest employers, by expanding the idea to include commercial anchors.

The Business Anchors Network is committed to bringing together great business operating in Leeds and working together to create growth in our economy that works for everyone.

Despite the challenges of the previous five years, Leeds has already seen success in driving inclusive growth. New UK Infrastructure Bank, Channel 4, Burberry and Cognizant now call Leeds home.

The strategy is underpinned by the Council’s commitment to greening the economy and ensuring that businesses and the City are more resilient and continue to thrive as the City and Council work towards zero carbon.

Let’s look at the Inclusive Development Strategy 2023-2030 Here.

Speaking ahead of the launch of the strategy, Leeds City Council Leader James Lewis said:

„Tackling poverty and inequality, building an economy that works for everyone is critical to ensuring we can meet the challenges Leeds faces, from meeting the climate emergency.

„Success will require a collaborative effort from the public, private and third sectors in Leeds. I strongly believe in the power of collaboration demonstrated by our response to the Covid-19 and cost of living crises. The impact of our 'Team Leeds’ approach.

„The Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy and its nine 'Big Ideas’ will reduce inequality in our city and help ensure Leeds is a compassionate city that offers opportunities for all, while doing our part to meet the climate emergency.”

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