Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage reiterated her support for Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) as she spoke at the launch of a review into their effectiveness at an event in Parliament yesterday.
Addressing the event in her role as Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Local Growth, Caroline drew upon her experience as a small-business owner as well as her efforts to secure the Solent Enterprise Zone, advocating the need for a place-based approach to growth policy.
Speaking after the event, Caroline said:
"I was delighted to speak at the report launch and show my support for Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). LEPs have been given the great responsibility of driving our economic recovery and I welcome the publication of this report and its contribution to the debate surrounding this issue."
The 'What Next for Local Enterprise Partnerships?' report published by the centre-left think tank The Smith Institute brings together contributions from leading academics and seeks to assess the functionality of LEPs amidst the backdrop of difficult economic conditions.
A strong supporter of enterprise and innovation, Caroline played a key role in the creation of the £25m Solent Enterprise Zone and her involvement at this event comes off the back of her appointment as Small Business Ambassador for the South.