This is very good news for the West Midlands and other regions in England. Government investments into industry clusters where we already have excellent universities, and a strong science and technology base, are welcome.
The first challenge is to leverage these funds to attract private sector investment and stimulate stronger economic growth across the region. The second challenge is to make sure that this growth is inclusive, by enabling smaller local firms to benefit and supporting up-skilling programmes to improve incomes in more deprived communities.
