The Inclusive Growth Commission - East Midlands Combined County Authority

The Inclusive Growth Commission (IGC) will see regional and national experts working together to set out the current picture of the East Midland’s strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities.

Mayor Claire Ward and council leaders across the region appointed the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) to run the high-profile commission.

The Inclusive Growth Commission has completed a 12-month regional engagement to shape a long-term framework for inclusive growth in the East Midlands.

The report is rooted in evidence from local businesses, communities, and institutions, ensuring it reflects the region’s geography, workforce, and economic conditions.

The aim: to ensure growth works for everyone – not just those in high-growth sectors – by creating pathways into good jobs, supporting communities, and attracting investment.

The report shows there’s a big chance for the East Midlands to grow:

If the region attracts more investment, it could bring in £200 billion by 2035.

Supporting the 18 most promising new industrial sites could help 30,000 low-paid workers earn around £6,700 more each year.
Helping people build stronger networks and connections could add £1.4 billion in extra income for the poorest households over the next ten years.
If worker health problems are reduced, it could save up to £10 billion every year.

Read the executive summary

The Opportunity Escalator

At the heart of the strategy is the Opportunity Escalator, a practical toolkit designed to make opportunity visible, accessible, and achievable.

Getting on the escalator: Tackling barriers such as poor transport, lack of childcare, health challenges, and insecure housing that prevent people from entering work.

Moving up the escalator: Supporting workers to transition into better-paid, more secure jobs through training, upskilling, and employer engagement.

This concept underpins industrial strategy, skills planning, and place-based investment across the region.

Vision for 2035

By 2035, the East Midlands will be:

Healthier – reduced economic inactivity, with a workforce able to participate fully.
Better-paid and skilled –people progressing into secure, rewarding careers.
Better connected – integrated transport and housing supporting mobility and opportunity.
Stronger socially – communities with higher trust, cohesion, and civic pride.
More distinctive – a region with a clear identity, attracting investment and talent.

Five flagship priorities

The Commission highlights five flagship priorities to turn the theory into practice. You can find out more about these below.

The five flagship priorities

Guarantee every child access to high-quality careers guidance, meaningful work experience, and mental health and financial literacy support.
Ensure no young person leaves school without a clear pathway into work, training, or further education.

Raise school performance in disadvantaged areas.
Expand technical education, apprenticeships, and lifelong learning.
Ensure adult retraining is aligned with local industrial needs (e.g. green energy, digital skills, logistics).

Address the region’s rising levels of economic inactivity linked to poor health.
Integrate healthcare and employment services, including mental health support.
Promote a Good Employers Charter encouraging flexible work, inclusive hiring, and investment in staff wellbeing.

Build stronger ties between people, businesses, and institutions to increase trust and social cohesion.
Support community-led enterprises and social entrepreneurs.
Deliver services through trusted local venues (e.g. schools, libraries, community hubs).

Create a regional investment strategy to attract business and impact investors.
Establish a dedicated investment team and advisory board.
Use blended finance models to fund housing, clean energy, and skills programmes.

The Reports

Interim Report - March 2025 (opens in a new window)

The Commission unveiled its initial report in March 2025. It set out the current picture of the East Midlands’ strengths, challenges and opportunities and called for a step change in investment in the region

Final Report - September 2025

The report is rooted in evidence from local businesses, communities, and institutions, ensuring it reflects the region’s geography, workforce, and economic conditions.

Meet the Commissioners

The Commission is chaired by Andy Haldane, the former Chief Economist for the Bank of England and Chief Executive of the RSA.

A board of Commissioners has been appointed with a wealth of expertise, experience and understanding of the challenges we’re facing.

The Inclusive Growth Commission: meet the commissioners.