The launch meeting of the Midlands Engine APPG took place on Tuesday 15 September 2020. Co-chaired by Darren Henry MP and Lord Ravensdale, the group is a cross-party forum for MPs and Peers based in, or with an interest in, the Midlands.

The co-chairs of the APPG invited Midlands Engine Chairman Sir John Peace to address the launch meeting of the Midlands Engine APPG. The group’s purpose is to:

• Champion the Midlands Engine in the UK Parliament
• Ensure that investment in the Midlands is prioritised by the UK Government
• Work to level up the Midlands economy in order to improve quality of life for communities in every part of the region.

Today’s meeting featured an introduction from Sir John Peace and presentations from Rachael Greenwood, Midlands Engine Director, and Maria Machancoses, Midlands Connect Director, exploring the Midlands Engine partnership’s priorities for key initiatives including those which will drive transformational economic impact and accelerate sustainable transport solutions.

The work of the APPG will be underpinned by regional research, data and analysis from Midlands Engine Observatory. The Observatory’s work is crucial in evidencing the barriers to growth which the region faces and in highlighting scope for powerful interventions. The regular reports provided by the Observatory - including the Covid Monitor, LEP profiles and Quarterly Economic Commentaries, in addition to set piece research - together constitute a huge and unparalleled data resource focused on the Midlands Engine region.

Co-Chair of the Midlands Engine APPG, Darren Henry MP, said:

“The Midlands Engine APPG will play a crucial cross-party role in supporting economic growth in the Midlands. This group will provide both a forum for Midlands MPs and Peers to receive crucial data and analysis of the economic performance of the region, and for parliamentarians to collectively raise the issues which matter most in delivering economic growth for the Midlands Engine.” 

Following the meeting, Midlands Engine Chairman, Sir John Peace, commented:

 “I was delighted to be invited to address the Midlands Engine All-Party Parliamentary Group. It is extremely encouraging to see the level of engagement from parliamentarians of all parties from across the region.

“We work closely with partners and stakeholders across the Midlands – our regions MPs and Peers as local champions do a fantastic job of highlighting causes which will support their constituents – and I hope that the Midlands Engine APPG will become a vehicle for highlighting the interventions we know are necessary to support levelling up the Midlands economy in every part of our region.

“I look forward to working closely with the Midlands Engine APPG in the future to support key Budget asks, create a forum for discussions on the next stages of devolution in the UK, and raise the bar for our region in the sphere of international trade.”

Future meetings of the Midlands Engine APPG will take place regularly and will be advertised in the Parliamentary All-Party Notice.