Thames Estuary 2050 Growth Commission

(asked on 3rd March 2020) - View Source

Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the purpose is of the Thames Estuary (a) Growth Commission, (b) Growth Award and (c) Envoy; and if he will make a statement.


Answered by
Simon Clarke Portrait
Simon Clarke
This question was answered on 11th March 2020

The Government is committed to giving all towns, cities and communities across the UK, including those in Thurrock and the wider Thames Estuary, real power and investment to drive the future growth and unleash their full potential. The Thames Estuary is a major opportunity area with the potential to support growth right across the country.

When the Thames Estuary 2050 Growth Commission was announced at Budget 2016, it was tasked with developing a vision and delivery plan for the Thames Estuary up to 2050. The Thames Estuary Growth Commission was made up of independent experts, and under the leadership of Sir John Armitt, the Commission have reported their ambitious vision and delivery plan for north Kent, south Essex and east London up to 2050. With their purpose fulfilled, the Commission has now disbanded.

Government responded to the Thames Estuary Growth Commission in March 2018, awarding £1 million to support the establishment and operation of the Thames Estuary Growth Board.

The Growth Board's purpose is to help stimulate growth in the economy across the Estuary. The Growth Board is made up of local authorities and private sector members and is seeking to represent the diversity of the communities it serves.

On 30 October 2019, Kate Willard was appointed as the first Estuary Envoy and the Chair of the new Growth Board. The Envoy is working to convene partners across the area and is a ‘single voice’ for the Thames Estuary to advocate for the area at a national and international level.

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