A pioneering new unit to ensure everyone in the region benefits from the work of the West Midlands Combined Authority has been established.

The 'Inclusive Growth Unit' is a ground-breaking collaboration between the WMCA and a range of organisations to ensure policy and decision-making tackles issues such as poverty and unemployment. They include Public Health England, the Barrow Cadbury Trust, and a range of national and regional bodies focused on social change and economic inclusion.

The unit aims to ensure the region benefits through tackling issues such as unemployment and poverty thanks to the economic impact of schemes such as Friargate in Coventry. Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street said:

“We want to ensure that the West Midlands renaissance extends to all of its residents. Despite the region’s rapid growth, we know that many of its communities have not yet seen the benefits - unemployment remains higher than the national average, and evidence suggests that around 25% of children grow up with experience of poverty. 

“That has to change, which is why this innovative partnership has been established. It will help the WMCA respond to the economic opportunities open to the West Midlands with policies that generate more and better jobs for local people."

The unit - embedded within the WMCA - will help ensure inclusive growth is hard-wired into mainstream West Midlands investment, economic growth and local industrial strategy. It will do this by providing research, analysis, insight and citizen engagement to support more inclusive policy and investment decisions, and giving long term strategic support for the WMCA and its public service partners within the region. Duncan Selbie, chief executive of Public Health England, said:

“[Public Health England] is delighted to support this pioneering move to establish an Inclusive Growth Unit within the WMCA. Our approach is founded on the simple truth that health is wealth. Improving health outcomes and raising productivity are two sides of the same coin.

“We want to work with Mayor Street, councils and public service partners across the West Midlands to focus on the population interventions that can best deliver inclusive growth.”

Initial activities will include a West Midlands Inclusive Growth Audit; a regular publication which will give a picture of the region around the inclusivity of jobs, skills and growth outcomes, alongside a citizen engagement programme, ensuring the voice of local people is at the heart of the WMCA’s vision for inclusive growth

Since its formation in 2016 and through the two devolution deals signed with the Government it has committed to a programme of investment and reform to transform the region’s growth prospects.

This has already resulted in funding of major plans for infrastructure investment, transport connectivity and housing, and a forthcoming Local Industrial Strategy currently being worked on with the Government.