Mayor sets out key priorities aimed at giving 'hope' to people in the West Midlands

West Midlands Mayor has set out four key priorities to boost the region

The Mayor of the West Midlands has set out his four main priorities for which he believes will give people in the region hope. Richard Parker has pledged better jobs, growth, homes and public transport for all and set up 'taskforces' - each made up of a 'council of experts' - to help deliver them.

Mr Parker said he has already held talks with key Government figures about these priorities and will lobby them again at the Labour Party Conference which beings on September 22. He announced his plan alongside Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, who set out his own vision for a creative village in Digbeth to support and grow the film and TV industry in the city.

The Mayor has already launched his youth plan aimed at tackling the region's higher-than-national average levels of unemployment amongst young people. Approval for three investment zones in Coventry, Wolverhampton and Birmingham, which are aimed at attracting £5 billion worth of investment and creating 30,000 jobs, was also granted early in his term.

READ MORE: Peaky Blinders movie filming to begin in 10 days as creator unveils ambitious creative vision for Birmingham

His bus reform plans, in which he hopes to introduce a franchising system, is well under way while talks have been held with the Deputy Prime Minister to allow £150 million worth of housing resources to help fund the 'most ambitious programme of social and affordable housing in the region in 40 years.

He said: "(This) is showing people where I’ll be focussing our resources but also where I’ll be asking the Government to support us. This region does not have a good track record in delivering in any of these areas, we’ve fallen well behind other parts of the country.

"I’m absolutely clear that we must be laser focused on delivering to show the value that devolution has on everyone’s lives. Each of the four areas will have a dedicated taskforce which will be made up of a council of experts.

"People from across sectors who are experts in their fields and have a proven track record of delivery. If we deliver jobs, growth, homes and a transport system for the first time in 14 years we can give people in this region hope.

"Hope their lives can be better, hope their families have a better future here and hope the places they live have a better future too."

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