Skills, the rural economy and medium sized businesses will be at the centre of the next stage of the Growth Review, the Government announced today, as it continues its focus on restoring the economy’s health.

Building on the radical programme of reforms set out in the first Plan for Growth, published at the Budget, the next stage of the review will focus on: Infrastructure; Education and skills; Logistics; Mid-sized businesses; Rural economy; and Open data.

Business Secretary Vince Cable formally launched the next phase of the Growth Review during his visit to Rolls Royce in Derby, where he welcomed the company’s commitment to 200 new apprenticeships and broke the ground on a new Learning and Development Centre. He also hosted a round table event with a number of mid-sized businesses from the Rolls Royce supply chain.

Dr Cable said: “We are launching the second stage of the plan for growth with one central purpose - creating the right conditions for business to start up, invest, grow and create jobs.

“We are seeing the evidence this week of successful rebalancing of the economy towards exports and manufacturing, with the announcement of major commitments from Nissan and BMW, and today the commitment from Rolls Royce to an expansion of their Apprenticeship programme.”

George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “By committing to this second phase of the Plan for Growth the Government is leaving continuing its mission to make the UK a great place to do business. A private sector-led recovery is already underway, with more than 400,000 new jobs created this year, and this next phase is an opportunity for Government to work with business to promote more growth and create more jobs.”

The launch follows substantial investment announcements from Nissan yesterday and BMW today that clearly show the strength and competitiveness of the UK’s automotive manufacturing sector and the ambition of the business community to secure long-term growth.

(BMcN/GK)