THE Ayrshire Growth proposals can be a powerful catalyst to massively enhance the area’s contribution to the UK economy.

That was the message from the three Ayrshire Councils, along with private sector partner representatives from GSK, BAE Aerosystems and The Klin Group, as they outlined how Ayrshire can be ‘an effective delivery vehicle for the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy’.

In a letter to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Greg Clark, following a meeting earlier this month, the partnership said it welcomed his commitment to enter into dialogue with Ayrshire Growth Deal partners.

Accompanying the letter, the partnership provided a detailed formal response to the Industrial Strategy Green Paper.

Ayrshire Growth Director Patrick Wiggins said: “Our proposals have the potential to significantly enhance the region’s contribution to the UK economy and drive up productivity across Ayrshire.

“We are proposing that the UK Government, through its new Industrial Strategy, targets investment in three of our key sectors – aerospace, life sciences and manufacturing – which will act as a powerful catalyst stimulating growth and resulting in increased prosperity for local people, for Scotland and for the UK as a whole.

“We ask the UK Government to build on the locally-led approach already under way by the public and private sector by investing in Ayrshire to allow the region to be an early adopter of the Industrial Strategy.”

The Ayrshire Growth Deal is targeting over £350 million of funding from the Scottish and UK governments to develop a number of exciting projects that will deliver jobs and investment across the region.

Inclusive growth – creating opportunities that can benefit all of our communities – is core to the development of the Ayrshire Growth proposals.

The projects are all expected to create jobs and have a wider positive economic impact for Ayrshire, Scotland and the UK. They also reflect the strengths and opportunities of the Ayrshire economy.

The proposals aim to develop further and build on the success of the area’s key industries – including aerospace and space, life sciences and manufacturing – while providing the infrastructure and support to make our businesses even more innovative and international in their outlook.

The Growth Deal also seeks to enhance Ayrshire’s coast and capitalise on the superb opportunities that Ayrshire’s harbours and ports provide. The proposed projects will make a major contribution to the delivery of national tourism strategies such as ‘Awakening the Giant’ (marine tourism) as well as providing opportunities to address issues such as the provision of land for the development of new housing.

Patrick Wiggins added: “We have worked tirelessly with a range of partners to develop aspirational and achievable strategic business cases that will create jobs, develop and build on Ayrshire’s key strengths and deliver economic growth that will enrich all our communities.

“We believe that the proposals for aerospace, life sciences and advanced manufacturing can make a significant contribution to the delivery of the Government’s Industrial Strategy.

“We look forward to further opportunities to underline the strong proposals we have and to secure UK Government commitment to supporting Ayrshire Growth and creating a legacy for years to come.”