Jobs policies

4.51. The Greater Cambridge economy is of national importance. MGH agrees with this assessment, and that continuing economic growth is vital for the nation, the region, and for Greater Cambridge. Our overall position is focused on the opportunity for sustainable growth led by employment, rather than for the creation of jobs being led by housing delivery.
4.52. The importance of the Cambridge economy extends across the region, but there are also multiple benefits that arise locally. The international reputation of Cambridge powers a local economy that is much more than global high-tech businesses. This international reputation has been a spring-board for diverse local business across a wide range of types, including start-ups, studios, workshops, manufacturing, leisure, retail and logistics businesses. This process needs to be encouraged and facilitated to ensure a diverse local economy is created that ensures that the benefits of growth are spread across the population rather than being focussed solely in one sector or location. This ongoing economic diversification will help to balance social and economic inequalities across the Greater Cambridge area.
4.53. The ongoing ability of Greater Cambridge to provide economic growth, and therefore improvements in standards of living for the area as a whole are highlighted in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Independent Economic Review (CPIER), September 2018 . The CPIER indicates that employment growth to date has been faster than envisaged. The Councils should look to draw on this opportunity to deliver better lifestyles for all those living and working in the wider region, and in particular to deliver benefits across the communities of Greater Cambridge.