The Chancelloras visit to the new Staffordshire base of a global energy firm on the day the UKas Industrial Strategy launch demonstrates the areaas position as a key contributor, the county council leader has said.

Chancellor Philip Hammond visited the new GE facilities at the county council-developed Redhill Business Park yesterday. The company, which is Staffordas biggest employer, is expanding its operations on three plots at Redhill.

Prime Minister Theresa May launched the consultation into the new Industrial Strategy yesterday. A green paper will set out ways the government can provide support to businesses by addressing regulatory barriers, agreeing trade deals and helping to establish institutions that encourage innovation and skills development.

Staffordshire County Council leader Philip Atkins said: aThe launch of the new UK Industrial Strategy yesterday has seen the Chancellor visit GE in Stafford a one of our flagship companies which has set out its commitment to the county by retaining and expanding its operations here. This is a clear demonstration of Staffordshireas position as a key contributor to the emerging strategy. We have already made great progress in recent years in what the Government has set out as its ten priorities a from upgrading infrastructure to developing research, innovation and skills. Our investment in Redhill, the New Keele Deal and the advanced manufacturing and engineering skills hub are examples of this. By planning ahead, we have been able to provide the sites and contribute to the development of a skilled workforce for international companies such as GE. This in turn provides local opportunities for higher skilled, better paid jobs and at the same time enable the generation of affordable energy and cleaner growth.a

The New Keele Deal is a AL70million research-led collaboration led by Keele University with Staffordshire County Council and other organisations which will lead to the creation of 700 jobs and support 1,000 businesses.

People can find out more about the New Keele Deal by visiting:A www.keele.ac.uk/newkeeledeal