An East Lancashire MP has said that the county is being “held back” by the lack of a mayor, despite a minister insisting Lancashire is “at the forefront” of the growth mission.
In a Commons adjournment debate on private sector investment in Lancashire, Ribble Valley Labour MP Maya Ellis argued that national policy is skewed towards big city regions such as Greater Manchester and Liverpool.
The MP pointed to Lancashire being a “£40 billion GVA powerhouse” and the fifth-largest economy in the north, with strengths in defence, nuclear, and advanced manufacturing.
She also highlighted a pipeline of projects capable of attracting more than £20 billion of private investment over the next decade.
During the debate, Ms Ellis said: “I am grateful for the millions this Government are investing into Lancashire through Pride in Place projects, which will absolutely improve health and wellbeing—something we have particular need for in our county, where poor health accounts for a significant portion of the productivity gap.
“But, as a Labour Government, I think we could be more honest with ourselves that while overcoming deprivation is a top priority, growth is a top priority too. We could also be better at recognising where those growth opportunities are.
“I think it is fair to say that this Government are pretty convinced by agglomeration economics and by the idea that if we invest in city regions, the wealth will trickle out.
“But what happens somewhere like Lancashire, where there is already wealth, but it has been supported consistently for decades by EU funding and then by the crisis and resilience fund and the shared prosperity fund, all of which have now been removed?”
Since 1998, Ms Ellis said that Lancashire has seen the lowest growth in investment spending of any UK region, despite having a high-value production base.
She highlighted that the region is excluded from 30-year investment funds, which are estimated to be worth £30 million each year.
In addition, the county is missing out on £200 million each year that is available to mayoral areas and city region sustainable transport settlements.
Ms Ellis used the debate to set out a series of concrete asks, including confirmation of funding for the permanent National Cyber Force headquarters at Samlesbury and continued investment in a Blackburn cyber and skills campus.
She also asked for support for next‑generation nuclear fuel capabilities at Westinghouse’s Springfields site and backing for a new office quarter around Preston station anchored by an HMRC relocation.
Ministers were also pressed to fast‑track Lancashire’s move to a mayoral combined authority, scope the return on investment of a second bridge over the River Ribble to create a Preston ring road, and commit to regular engagement with Lancashire MPs through the county’s all‑party parliamentary group.
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Responding for the government, business minister Chris McDonald praised Ms Ellis’s “passion for Lancashire” and insisted the county is “at the forefront of the government’s growth mission”.
He pointed to existing and planned investment in aerospace, nuclear and automotive sectors, highlighting thousands of jobs supported at BAE’s Warton and Samlesbury plants.
However, while the minister promised to write to Ms Ellis addressing her detailed list of seven specific funding and policy requests, he stopped short of giving firm commitments on key items such as the National Cyber Force investment, Westinghouse support, the Ribble bridge or a devolution timetable.
Instead, he emphasised the government’s broader industrial strategy and its intention to be an “active, interventionist” administration working with local leaders to drive growth.
