From New Labour’s devolution of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish assemblies to the creation of elected mayors under Cameron and Osbourne’s government, political parties on both sides of the house have recognised the necessity of devolving powers from Westminster. [...] As a result, the opportunity to use employment to improve the fortune of existing local communities is lost and a significant part of the local population is locked out of the proceeds of growth.11 The plight of councils also has implications here. [...] In the West Midlands, we will build on the region’s strong inclusive economy ambitions, to pilot an Ownership Hub to promote the growth of worker co- operatives and employee-owned businesses in the creative and cultural sector, supporting the Combined Authority with their intentions to double the region’s social economy. [...] Alongside of this, we will work to develop a community-led approach to employment support in the East Birmingham and the North Solihull Levelling Up Zone and we will explore the economic role of the health sector and the way in which the actions of the Combined Authority could accelerate its impact. [...] We will also work with the Combined Authority to convene networks of large public sector institutions in the region and explore how the evolving devolution arrangements could further develop the economic and social impact of their activity, particularly in relation to their use of land and their spending on goods and services.
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- United Kingdom