MP Alan Mak has welcomed the publication of the Government’s new modern Industrial Strategy, saying that Havant can become one of the innovation capitals of the UK.
The MP has already established himself as one of the leading voices in Parliament on what is known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), a term which describes the new technologies that are the future of the economy, including artificial intelligence, driverless cars, thinking computers and automated factories.
The Government published the Industrial Strategy green paper on Monday 23 January and it sets out policies which will support businesses in Havant and across Britain, creating more high skilled, high paid jobs for local people.
The Industrial Strategy will ensure everyone in Havant can benefit from success through ten ‘pillars’ - including investing in science, research and innovation, and upgrading infrastructure – that underpin a new approach and will identify all of the new opportunities across our economy.
The green paper also sets out technologies where Britain has strengths which could be supported through the government’s new Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, including: smart energy technologies; robotics and artificial intelligence and 5G mobile network technology. This fund is part of £4.7billion of additional R&D funding announced by the Prime Minister in November, a bigger increase than in any Parliament since 1979.
Havant and the Solent region already has an established history of innovative firms in both the tech and defence sectors, including Lockheed Martin and IBM. Smaller firms such as Dream 3D (3D printer business) and Turbulent Designs, both based in Havant, are using new technology grow and create jobs.
In addition Havant Borough Council is one of the first local authorities in the country to appoint a Cabinet Member with responsibilities for the 4IR, when Councillor Tim Pike was placed in charge of Strategic Innovation, Infrastructure and Projects earlier this month.
Mr Mak hailed the Industrial Strategy as an “important step in building a modern country that will deliver higher skilled, high wage jobs and improve living standards and drive economic growth”.
He said: “We have so many innovative local businesses here in Havant so there is no reason why we can’t use our local expertise to become Britain’s innovation capital, a national leader in new Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.
“I encourage all local businesses and workers to contribute to the Industrial Strategy consultation by submitting their views. This will help us maintain our high-skilled economy across Havant where businesses can grow and more jobs are created."
Picture: Alan Mak MP meets staff at Dream 3D, the Havant-based 3D printer business.