Inclusive growth for Luton

The report recommends that ‘place-based industrial strategies’ be established to deliver inclusive growth in local areas. The report also recommended the need for ‘integrated economic and social policy’ to drive inclusive growth through business and community led productivity, skills and quality jobs.

The Luton Inclusive Growth Commission will be Luton’s response to the RSA’s recommendations, with the commission asked to identify the key enablers of inclusive growth for Luton, and deliver a series of recommendations to inform the development of a future inclusive growth strategy for the town.

The commission will be supported by the council and provided with a range of evidence to provide an understanding of the Luton context which includes Luton’s young and exceptionally diverse population, its excellent location as the international gateway to England’s economic heartland and the growth associated with the Luton Investment Framework and London Luton Airport. The overall aim of the commission is to support the continuation of this growth while ensuring that the benefits of this can be shared by all in Luton.

Professor Sir Les Ebdon has already agreed to be the Independent Chair of the Commission. His knowledge and expertise in this area, his previous work in Luton and a fellow of the RSA  foundation puts him in excellent stead for leading this piece of work.

The commission will run in two phases. Phase one has now been completed which involved a range of independent experts who were asked to review extensive data to identify the key enablers and barriers to inclusive growth in Luton from jobs and skills to social and physical infrastructure. All presentations and evidence packs can be viewed below.

The second phase is now to appoint the commissioners who will lead an extensive piece of work engaging with key stakeholders including community and institutional anchors locally, education and health providers as well as major employers in the town. The commission will then consider and make recommendations to drive the enablers of inclusive growth in Luton, providing the basis for a future inclusive growth strategy.

We are currently recruiting for up to eight commissioners to lead this piece of work under the leadership of the Chair Professor Sir Les Ebdon. You can view the role of the commissioner and details of how to apply with in this 'The role of the commissioner' information pack.

All applications will need to be sent in by the close of play on Friday 2 November. We will not be able to accept applications after the closing date. It is intended that interviews will take place from 5 November and appointments made by mid-November, with the commission meeting in early December.

For more information, please email [email protected]