Representation by SEMLEP (South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership) (SEMLEP (South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership))
- Date submitted
- 22 June 2023
- Submitted by
- Non-statutory organisations
I am writing on behalf of the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP), in support of Luton Rising’s positive impact on the local economy, through London Luton Airport (LLA). The South East Midlands Local Industrial Strategy, which was co-produced by SEMLEP, local partners and government, identified LLA as key asset to the region’s economy. It is the region’s main international gateway and a significant contributor to regional jobs and growth. Our strategy recognised the airport as the UK’s fifth largest airport, and its 75% growth in passengers in the 5 years to 2019 makes it a clear driver of regional economic growth. Luton Rising’s analysis would also suggest that LLA supports some 27,500 jobs nationally, contributing £1.8bn to UK GDP, as of 2019. LLA also provides growth opportunities for the Luton Airport Enterprise Zone, which SEMLEP supports. As a result, Luton Rising’s work to enhance LLA is fully consistent with SEMLEP’s ambition to double the gross value added of the South East Midlands region from 2017 to 2050. However, we also recognise that the local air transport sector has been significantly negatively impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Economic Recovery Strategy economic forecasts, published in 2020, identified air and water transport as the single most immediately impacted sector in employment terms in the region. The proposed expansion will provide a crucial role in ensuring the airport has the infrastructure and capacity to make a strong recovery from this position. Furthermore, SEMLEP recognises LLA as a unique airport, being owned by Luton Borough Council through the Luton Rising social enterprise. This ensures that the airport is run for community benefit, including providing high quality training and job opportunities for local residents. This is critical for improving the supply of skilled workers in the SEMLEP region, which continues to be one of the top constraints to growth as reported by local businesses. SEMLEP would hope to support this aim through our links with the SEM Careers Hub. We also support the Luton Rising’s commitment to environmental sustainability, through its Green Controlled Growth strategy. This is also important for the project to meet our Local Industrial Strategy’s ambition to support long-term sustainable economic growth. SEMLEP strongly supports the good work of Luton Rising in supporting the regional economy. We would be keen to support Luton Rising where possibly, through its role as the host of the strategic voice of business, to maximise its economic benefits for the region.