Statement from the Chair in response to the Autumn Statement

“I welcome the Chancellor’s budget announcement today. 

“It was encouraging to hear his focus on innovation.  Across South Wales and Western England we are leading the charge towards becoming a Global Scientific and Technological Super Power with leaders in 5G, robotics, advanced engineering and home to Europe’s most advanced cyber cluster. 

"In partnership with our great universities, we want to boost these industries even further and look forward to working with the government to unlock this potential for growth.

“Despite our strengths, we have challenges to overcome. 

"We are home to the UK’s least well-connected Core City and areas with low digital connectivity.  With over 80,000 journeys across the Severn every day we believe we have a strong case for improving this at minimal cost.  We will release a 2050 vision for rail across the area in the coming months to help make this case and will be reaching out to the Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper MP, to consider this as a vital part of the government’s commitment to infrastructure to power growth.”