Speaking at the West Midlands Growth Summit in Coventry on 8 October 2026, the Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Secretary highlighted the region's potential and the government's commitment to its ambitious plans for re-industrialisation and growth. The speech recognised the work of the West Midlands Combined Authority and the backing of local and national businesses.
The government aims to usher in a new age of industrialisation with good work, good jobs, and good growth across the country. This is not about nostalgia but about using the Modern Industrial Strategy to secure the UK’s competitive advantage, ensuring Britain becomes a hub for scaling up production and fostering collaboration between manufacturers, scientists, and innovators. This initiative aims to prevent brilliant British innovations from being commercialised elsewhere.
The Secretary announced that the Mayoral Revolving Growth Fund is providing half a million pounds of devolved capital across six regions. Additionally, Transport First City Region funding is supporting road and rail improvements, including the Metro extension linking Birmingham city centre to the new sports quarter. New technical excellence colleges are also being rolled out, with Metropolitan College and City of Wolverhampton College set to be the first centres of excellence in the West Midlands.
The government is supporting manufacturers through schemes like the Energy Supercharger and the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, which are expected to save hundreds of millions of pounds by addressing uncompetitive industrial energy prices. Six successful trade deals have also been secured, including India's liberalisation of its auto sector, potentially worth over £1bn to UK industry.
Further support for local businesses includes an extension to the Business Energy Advice Service, a new West Midlands Talent Transition Pilot, and a Government-backed battery manufacturing task force. Crucially, up to £50 million in funding will support innovation in the automotive supply chain, a sector vital to the region's heritage and future.
This funding, devolved from the Drive 35 programme, empowers local government to support growth and re-industrialisation, particularly as the automotive sector transitions to electric vehicles. Support is being provided for firms investing in automation and retooling, with dedicated capital for critical EV technologies. This includes assisting companies like Long in bringing new British-built sports cars to market.
The re-industrialisation effort spans various regions, from the northeast of England's clean energy focus to Cornwall's critical minerals sector. In the West Midlands, the focus is on electric models, including the new Jaguar Type 1, to be built in Solihull. The department has supported JLR in developing advanced software-defined vehicles, with the company expected to have a bright future in the region and the UK.
The government is committed to a significant transfer of power out of Whitehall, aiming for high-paid, high-skilled jobs in tradable sectors. The West Midlands is positioned to be at the forefront of this new industrial age, with the region recognised as a reliable partner capable of delivering results.
