Business leaders in Gloucestershire have described plans to withdraw central support for local enterprise partnerships (LEP) as “disappointing” and “mind blowing”.
During last week’s Budget, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced the government was looking to “empower” democratically elected local leaders to deliver the functions of LEPs in the future, as part of its ‘levelling up’ agenda. Mr Hunt said it was therefore “minded” to withdraw state funding for LEPs from April 2024.
The government will now consult on the proposals before confirming a decision, with an updated policy position to confirm the next steps “by the summer”.
