REG IO N AL IN F RASTRU CTURE R e g ion al Pro duc t iv i t y For um
with much of it having been drained centuries ago to create some of the best agricultural land in the country. And yet the Fens are home to some of the poorest communities in the region. A focus on the Fens will enable us to consider issues relating to agricultural productivity, the tensions between different land uses, the management of water, the importance of biodiversity, and the role that the people, communities and businesses of the Fens can take in tackling climate change.
infrastructure, housing and access to labour markets? Given the ongoing uncertainty about the future of the OxCam Arc a question also remains about how Cambridge connects more effectively with the surrounding area; should it face west or east, south or north?
Sharing knowledge and learning
The final two themes focus on two specific issues in relation to productivity and the economies of East Anglia. A focus on leading-edge activities Resilience is key and the foundational economy is an opportunity Climate change is also an issue for the to consider both the cutting-edge Coast: East Anglia’s coastline is businesses in East Anglia alongside eroding at the fastest rate the importance of supporting in the country. It is also sectors of the economy, such at the forefront of as health and care. As the tackling climate change Coronavirus pandemic has through its role as shown, these different the ‘Energy Coast’, areas are significant in home to huge fields their own ways and a of wind turbines likely source of future and other sources of employment growth, renewable energy. so it is important Understanding to consider how the role that the productivity issues should Energy Coast can play in the generation be addressed. A question of renewable energy and we are particularly interested related innovations is another in is whether we are providing area of interest. The enough opportunities to connectivity of the share knowledge and learning Owen Garling Coast to the rest across sectors. Owen works at the Bennett Institute for Public of the region and Policy at the University of Cambridge. The East Anglia Forum is part of the Productivity Institute, beyond is also of The public sector a £32 million investment which aims to lay the interest. Home to foundations for sustained and inclusive productivity Finally, we are interested a number of ports, growth. It is one of eight across the UK, examining productivity issues and stakeholder needs. in how the structure of including Felixstowe the public sector in East – responsible for 40 per cent of the Anglia affects productivity. UK’s container traffic – the area is of national East Anglia’s current governance arrangements importance to the UK economy. The pre-Christmas – like those of many places – have emerged in backlog of containers at Felixstowe demonstrated a piecemeal fashion over time and may face the impact that disruptions can have across the further changes following the publication of the country. We need to ensure that economies locally government’s Levelling Up White Paper. Across and nationally are taking the full advantage of the region there are questions as to whether these these assets and that they remain resilient in the arrangements have an impact on private sector face of future economic shocks. decision-making and investment planning. Equally, there are further questions to be asked around The Cambridge connection public sector productivity and how this could be improved across the region. The western edge of East Anglia is also of particular interest. For the last 50 years, we We believe our work is essential in drawing have seen the emergence of the ‘Cambridge together expertise from across the region’s private, Phenomenon’ and the development of the area as public and third sector organisations to map out a source of comparative advantage in relation to the opportunities, risks, and linkages between the the knowledge economy. Cambridge is often seen different functional economies in the region. East as a city of international importance and a success Anglia is at the forefront of both the challenges story for the UK. But how do Greater Cambridge’s and opportunities of climate change and, as we successes contribute to the wider East Anglian move into the next phase of work, we are keen that economy? Are Greater Cambridge’s successes our work can bring forward proposals that allow spread as far and effectively as possible? Coupled us to address the former and maximise the latter, to this, what changes does the greater Cambridge driving up both productivity performance and area need to see to ensure that its successes can continue and are not constrained by insufficient quality of life for all who live and work here.
REGIONAL PRODUCTIVITY FORUM productivity.ac.uk/business/eastanglia-productivity-forum/
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