Prime Minister Theresa May has given a ringing endorsement to Greater Birmingham and its business community after gatecrashing a party conference fringe event.

Business leaders gathered for the ‘Greater Birmingham for a Greater Britain’ event at Birmingham Rep and were surprised when the Prime Minister herself appeared to cheer on the region.

Her enthusiastic backing is a sign the days when senior ministers were focussed purely on the Northern Powerhouse cities are over.

This was backed by confirmation of a £12 million government funding package to the Midlands Connect organisation which is developing improved transport across the East and West Midlands.

Mrs May told the meeting she was pleased to be back in the city after launching her leadership bid here July and talked about the high level of growth and investment being attracted to the city - including the HSBC headquarters at Arena Central and the regeneration linked to HS2 at Curzon Street.

She highlighted the success of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, which under the chairmanship of Conservative mayoral candidate Andy Street, has brought 81 packages of foreign investment to the area, more than any other UK region, and helped create thousands of jobs.

Gift shopping at the Conservative Party Conference
Gift shopping at the Conservative Party Conference

She added that a strong metro mayor for the West Midlands, to be elected next year, would take the region further.

“All engines need a driver and the Midlands Engine is no different,” she said.

“The parts of our country with the most potential need someone who can champion them, drive change and hold real power to get things done.

“I’m thrilled the Conservative Party has chosen Andy Street, an exemplary candidate for that role of West Midlands Mayor.”

Mrs May added: “What has always been Birmingham’s strength is its people.

“From the Cadbury brothers, the canal workers, John Wyatt to the tradesmen of the back-to-back houses, we see their achievements all around us here and with the election of West Midlands mayor we’re enabling another person to follow in their footsteps and make their mark on Greater Birmingham.

“And that’s how we will fire up the Midlands Engine, we will make sure that his economy truly does work for everyone.”

A Golden Decade

Also speaking at the event was chairman of the Midlands Engine Sir John Peace who told businesses the region was entering a “golden decade” of growth and prosperity.

He said: “The Midlands is on a roll. This is the start of a golden decade.”

He added the arrival of HS2 and, if the bid is successful, the Commonwealth Games in 2026 would be the culmination of that decade of growth.”

£12 million funding deal for Midlands transport

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling confirmed a £12 million funding for Midlands Connect which is working with the Department for Transport, on behalf of councils across the region, to improve road and rail links - especially those between the East and West Midlands.

Mr Grayling said: “With its position at the heart of the UK, the Midlands is worth over £220 billion and is vital to the country’s success.

“Midlands Connect is making great progress to build evidence of the region’s transport needs and help make the Midlands an engine for growth and I am pleased to make this commitment to funding their work.”