Event Details

Roundtable at the Labour Party Conference 2024 that will discuss how local leaders, the Government and anchor institutions in the region can deliver secure and well-paid work that will drive regeneration and economic development in Greater Lancashire and Cumbria.

A new Labour Government has recently been elected with a promise to focus on restoring growth and security to the economy, but they have inherited a weakening labour market characterised by high levels of economic inactivity, flatlining wages and persistently high job vacancies.

These challenges are playing out acutely in particular parts of the country. Nearly a quarter of working aged adults in Lancashire are economically inactive (22.5%) – compared to 21.4% in the UK – and both Cumbria (16.1%) and Lancashire (17.2%) have a higher proportion of workless households than the British average (13.9%). Weekly earnings in both countries are below national averages.

Lancashire’s Independent Economic Review (2021) painted a stark picture of a county with “too few good jobs and too many poor ones” and Cumbria, despite its rich natural capital and a thriving tourism industry, suffers from weak productivity, an “innovation gap’’ and an ageing workforce.

With a new Government focussing on strengthening employment rights, introducing a new industrial strategy and devolving more powers relating to economic growth to local areas, what opportunities are there for Greater Lancashire and Cumbria? How can the raft of new MPs elected in the region earlier this year maximise the potential of these developments to deliver growth and opportunity across the region?

This roundtable - in partnership with Lancaster University - will discuss how can local leaders, the Government and anchor institutions in the region can deliver secure and well-paid work that will drive regeneration and economic development in Greater Lancashire and Cumbria.

Attendees include Josh MacAlister MP, Maya Ellis MP, Chris Webb MP, Prof Andy Schofield (Vice-Chancellor, Lancaster University), Cllr Matthew Brown (Council Leader, Preston Council) and senior representatives from Preston Council, BAE Systems and Northern Powerhouse Partnership.