What we do
Urgent need for new Government to commit to Ely and Haughley Junction Improvements
21 September 2024
Twenty five Parliamentarians and partners of the new East of England APPG sent a letter on the 19th September to the Transport Secretary and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury making the case that improvements to Ely and Haughley rail junctions will be pivotal to Great British Railways meeting its ambitious targets for national rail freight growth. They will also have transformational benefits for passengers. Both outcomes support sustainable economic growth which is the primary mission of the new Government.
It went on to point out that committing to these schemes would deliver a triple win for the Department for Transport as they meet DfT strategic priorities:
- Improving the performance on the railways: By increasing capacity and reducing bottlenecks, and stimulating 277,000 extra rail passenger journeys per year. The scheme has a remarkably high benefit-cost ratio, returning £4.89 of benefits for every £1 invested.
- Transforming infrastructure to work for the whole country: The new freight services will primarily serve freight terminals in the Midlands, North and Scotland, and reduce congestion by 5.6 million hours per year (Ely is referenced in the strategies of both Transport for the North and Midlands Connect)
- Delivering greener transport: By supporting modal shift to rail, Ely will remove the need for 98,000 HGV journeys every year, reducing carbon emissions by 1.7m tonnes of CO2 over 60 years.
The letter states that “in October 2023, the previous government confirmed funding would be made available to deliver the Ely and Haughley junction improvements. As you can see regional MPs, Peers, sub-national transport bodies, and other public and private sector stakeholders, remain steadfast in recognising the importance of these schemes.”
The letter therefore asks that when the Department reviews previously committed infrastructure schemes, the new government prioritises investment in Ely and Haughley junction improvements. This includes the early release of required funding to Network Rail/ Great British Railways, so that detailed planning for their delivery can commence.
The letter was reported by BBC East, the East Anglia Daily Times and the Eastern Daily Press
MPS demand action over Ely and Haughley junction revamps | Eastern Daily Press (edp24.co.uk)
MPs want Haughley junction improvements to be prioritised | East Anglian Daily Times (eadt.co.uk)
Charging Up the East of England: a Road Map for Electronic Vehicle Charge Points (EVCPs)
8 November 2022
Held Tuesday 8th November,
On Tuesday 8th November the East of England APPG held a roundtable looking at the East of England’s charge point needs.
At the meeting Andrew Summers and Naomi Green, the Directors of Transport East and of England’s Economic Heartland, delivered a presentation as did Neil Isaacson, the Chief Executive of Liberty Charge – both of these are attached here and here.
Following the meeting the co-chair of the East of England APPG Peter Aldous MP wrote to the responsible Minister Jesse Norman MP. Please see a copy of this letter here.
Ensuring the financial resilience of councils:
3 November 2022
Simplifying central government funding and increasing freedom to generate revenue in order for local authorities to be partners in addressing cost of living crisis, net zero and levelling up agendas
On the 3rd of November the East of England APPG held a session looking at ensuring the financial resilience of councils in the East of England.
At the meeting the leader of Suffolk County Council and Chair of the East of England LGA, Matthew Hicks, presented a paper – please see here – on income generation for councils and leading academic and independent public expenditure expert, Professor Tony Travers, made some interesting observations.
Following the meeting the co-chairs of the East of England APPG Peter Aldous MP and Daniel Zeichner MP wrote to the responsible Minister Lee Rowley MP. Please see a copy of this letter here. Also please see a copy of the briefing note prepared by Bernard Kofi Dom (Nottingham Trent University) and Dr André Lino (University of Essex) here.
International Gateway: the East of England’s Key Role in Global Britain meeting
31 May 2022
On the 25th May the East of England APPG held a joint meeting with the Innovation Corridor APPG to discuss the East of England’s Key Role in Global Britain meeting. Please see the excellent background briefing prepared by partners including the Innovation Corridor APPG here and the slides shown at the meeting by MAG here. If you would like to watch the session back please see the Youtube recording.
Westminster Hall Debate: Levelling Up in the East of England
27 January 2022
A Backbench Westminster Hall Debate was secured by APPG CoChair Peter Aldous MP on the 18th January 2022. Fourteen backbenchers made contributions making the case for levelling up in the East of England – see Hansard here. At the conclusion of the highly successful debate, Neil O’Brien MP, Minister for Levelling Up gave the following reassurance:
“the east of England will absolutely not be overlooked by the levelling-up agenda”
Achieving Sustainable and Inclusive Growth: The East of England Offer
4 November 2021
Following its launch in Parliament on the 19th of October 2021, the East of England APPG joint report with the East of England LGA is now available to view.
It sets out four priorities for the Government including:
- Delivering a ‘climate positive’ region
- Sustainable and inclusive growth
- Improved connectivity and decarbonisation
- Financial resilient councils
View the full report here.
Read coverage of the event in the BBC here, the Eastern Daily Press here, the Beccles and Bungay Journal here and the Lowestoft Journal here.
Read the pre-event Press Release here and Post-event Press Release here
Meetings of the East of England APPG
The last meeting of the APPG
Investing in the East of England to Maximise its Growth Potential
Held 14:00 to 15:30, Committee Room 16, Monday 4th November
Draft minutes here
Background paper on inward investment drafted by UK Innovation Corridor here
Background paper on local government finance here prepared by EELGA here
Follow up letter to the Chancellor – here
Follow up letter to MHCLG Minister for Local Government Finance here
Follow up letter to Treasury Minister for Inward Investment here
For more information please contact the secretariat via [email protected]
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The East of England Skills Working Group recently wrote to the Minister for Skills the Baroness Jacqui Smith – see here. Her reply is here. The APPPG will focus on skills at its meeting in March.
Previous Meetings of the East of England APPG
Presentation of the Emerging Findings from East of England Economic and Infrastructure Analysis & Review of Progress Towards Levelling Up in The East of England
Speakers included Lee Rowley MP, Minister for Housing, Seema Malhotra MP, Shadow Minister for Skills and Apprenticeships and Baroness Kath Pinnock, Spokesperson on Levelling Up for the Liberal Democrats.
This meeting held in Parliament in March 2024 heard a presentation from Kevin Fenning of Metro-Dynamics on Opportunity East – Driving National Productivity Through Innovation – see here.
There were then presentations from the two working groups of the East of England Levelling Up Delivery Partnership:
- Claire Paul on the document ‘Towards a Strategic Framework for Skills’ – see here (click here for short version of report and here for long version)
- Joanna Barrett on the short report ‘Housing Priorities’ – see here (and report here)
There was also a short overview document – available here
The minutes of the meeting – available here
Subsequently letters were drafted and sent to Housing Minister, Lee Rowley MP – here – and to Skills Mnister, Luke Hall MP – here
AGM and Briefing for Parliamentarians on East of England Ambulance Service and on Educational Attainment in the East of England
Quorate meeting held March 2024 when officers, financial statement and 22 registered members were agreed. Minutes here
Slides presented by Tom Abell, Chief Executive of the East of England Ambulance Service here
Additional slides in response to questions asked – here
Slides presented by Jonathan Duff, DfE Director of Education for the East of England here
Levelling up Healthy Life Expectancy
The APPG met in January 2024 when the issues of heath inequalities was comprehensively addressed.
The background briefing paper is here
A recording of the meeting is here
A copy of the follow-up letter sent to the Minister for the Office of Health Improvement and disparities is here
Speakers were
- Professor Aliko Ahmed, Regional Director of Public Health, OHID and NHSE East of England – slides here
- Felicity Cox, Chief Executive, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board and Co-chair East of England Regional Population Health Equity Board – slides here
- Cllr Jacqui Taylor, Chair of the East of England LGA People and Communities Panel and Lead for Housing at St Albans District Council – speaking notes here
- Will Quince MP, former Conservative Government Health Minister
- Sarah Owen MP, former Shadow Levelling Up Minister and former Member Health and Social Care Committee.
- Dr Daniel Poulter MP, former Conservative Government Health Minister
The East of England’s vital ‘offer’ to the UK as it progresses towards net zero and the region’s ‘asks’ regarding adaptation to climate change
The EE APPG met in December when it addressed the question above with the assistance of expert speakers:
- Asher Minns, Executive Director, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, UEA
- Kerry McCarthy MP, Shadow Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Laura Tuplin, Water Resources Strategy Programme Manager, Anglian Water
- Phil McNaughton, Head of Decarbonisation, British Sugar
- Kate Grant, Director, East of England Network, Cadent
- Steven Beel, Chief Executive, Freeport East
- Cllr Tracey Wye, Member of EELGA Regional Climate Change Forum and Executive Member for Sustainability and Climate Resilience at Central Bedfordshire Council
The background briefing compiled by Asher Minns of the Tyndall Institute is here
The recording of the meeting is here (NB recording starts two minutes into the meeting) and the minutes are here
The follow up letter to the Minister is here
How will the Innovation Region help deliver Economic Growth, Levelling Up and Net Zero in the East of England?
The EE APPG met in October when it addressed the question above with the assistance of the Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, George Freeman MP, and an expert regional panel of:
- John McGill, Associate Director, UK Innovation Corridor
- Professor Andy Neely, Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Enterprise & Business Relations) University of Cambridge and Steering Board Member of Innovate Cambridge
- Roz Bird, Chief Executive, Norwich Research Park – slides presented about Norwich Research Park are here
- Steven Wilson, Head of Innovation & Inward Investment, Freeport East – slides presented about Freeport East are here
The background briefing is here
The minutes of the meeting are here
The recording of the meeting is here
The follow up letter to the Minister Andrew Griffith MP is here and his detailed reply which recognises that “the East of England is a region bursting with innovation, talent and opportunity” and thanks “the APPG for its role in supporting the region’s economy and promoting its potential as a place to work, study, live and invest” is here.
Levelling Up Connectivity
The EE APPG met in September when it addressed the issue of Digital and Physical (Roads) Infrastructure and was addressed by Department for TransportMinister for Roads, Richard Holden MP, and the Government’s Rural Digital Connectivity Champion, Simon Fell MP
- Minutes here
- Agenda and attendees here
- Roads connectivity briefing here
- Digital connectivity briefing here
- Follow up letter to Minister for Roads here
- Follow up letter to Rural Digital Champion here
Reply from Minister for Roads here
Levelling Up Skills in the East of England
Q&A with the Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP, Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education
Held 10 to 11:15 am, on Wednesday 19thJuly in the Jubilee Room, just off Westminster Hall, the Houses of Parliament
Background briefing paper EE APPG Employment and Skills Briefing July 2023
Final Minutes EE APPG Skills Meeting and Attendees 19.07.23
Follow up Letter to Skills Minister – Levelling up Skills in the East of England
The Future of Freight and the pivotal role of Ely Junction
Held 16:00 to 17:15 on Monday 19th June with Iain stewart MP, Chair Transport Committee and Tan Dhesi MP, Shadow Minister for Rail
Report of the meeting here
BBC coverage here
Pro forma letter to send to Transport Secretary and/or Chancellor here
Levelling Up Housing
Held online from 330 to 5pm on Tuesday 3rd May
Follow up letter to Minister highlighting six key issues here
Background briefing here
Speakers
- Shona Johnstone, Head Of Markets, Places and Partners, Homes England
- James Francis, Chair, Build East – presentation here
- Sam Stafford, Planning Director, Home Builders Federation – presentation here
- Cllr Graham Butland, Chair, East of England LGA Infrastructure And Growth Panel
- Hannah Stanley James, Head of Sustainable Growth, Anglian Water – presentation here
- Abigail Jones, Leader “Housing Tribes” Project For Cambridge Ahead’s Young Advisory Committee – presentation here
Video of meeting here
Please also see Opening the Door: Good Quality, Available and Affordable Housing in the East of England (EELGA) and Lichfield’s BuildEast’s role in solving the housing crisis in the East of England
AGM and Levelling Up Health:
A Briefing for Parliamentarians from NHS England East and the East of England Ambulance NHS Trust
13:00 to 14:00 Wednesday 22nd March
Write up of the meeting here
Slides presented by CEX of the Ambulance Trust here
Joint East of England APPG and EELGA Parliamentary Meeting
12:45 to 14:30 Wednesday 22nd February
Write up of the meeting including speech by Levelling Up Minister, Dehenna Davison MP, here
For media coverage see here
Levelling Up the East of England: the East of England’s Progress Towards the Twelve Levelling Up Missions
4 to 5:20pm, Tuesday 13th December
Meeting held via Teams – to view the recording click here
Slides presented here
Short version of the report here
Long version of the report here
Press release here
Excellent three minute BBC Look East report here
Letter from DLUHC Minister in response to report here
Letter from Health Minister in response to report here
Letter form Home Office Minister in response to report here
Letter from Transport Minister on 4 trains per hour to London Stansted Airport here
Letter from Education Secretary in response to report here
Westminster Hall Back bench debate on Levelling Up the East of England on 31.01.23 is here
Westminster Hall Backbench debate on Health Mission on 01.03.23 here
Letter to HMT, DfT and DLUHC on transport investment following Backbench debate here
COP26 One Year On: Realising the East of England’s Potential Contribution to Achieving UK Net Zero
5 to 6.30pm, Tuesday 8th November
Committee Room 5, House of Commons
Background paper prepared by the Tyndall Centre, UEA, here
Non-verbatim minutes here
Follow up letter here
The current and future skills challenges facing the region
TUESDAY 5th JULY 230 TO 4PM
Background paper prepared by CPPE here
Follow up letter sent to Minister for Skills here
International Gateway: the East of England’s Key Role in Global Britain
WEDNESDAY 25th TH MAY 12:30 TO 14:00
Excellent background briefing prepared by partners including Innovation Corridor APPG here – MAG slides here
Post meeting letter to Transport Secretary urging investment in Ely and Haughley Junctions here
Please see here for Government’s response and here for further urgent letter sent by Chairs, Vice-Chairs and other regional leaders
Oral questions in the House regarding Ely and Haughley Junctions are here
AGM including agreed income and expenditure form
How the Regions’ Integrated Care Systems will Help Reduce Health Disparities
10 am to 11.30, Wednesday 30th March
Minutes here plus slides presented by SNEE ICS and background paper prepared by CPPE
Levelling Up in the East of England Wednesday 9th February 2022
With Minister for Levelling Up, Neil O’Brien MP – Click HERE to watch NB use passcode: .fz+N3A+
See letter sent after the meeting here and the reply from the Minister here
The final meeting of 2021
1st December 2021- Read the review of 2021 and 2022 plan here
Parliamentary reception: joint-report launch with ELGA
Tuesday 19th October, 12:30-14:00
Levelling Up Inquiry Evidence Session 2: The Agriculture Agenda in the East of England’
Wednesday 8th September 16:00 – 17:30
Launch of the Levelling-Up Inquiry Evidence Session 1: East of England’s Coastal Communities – Regeneration, Tourism and Trade
Wednesday 7th July 10:00 – 11:30
Minutes | Re-watch the session
READ OUR SUMMARY – The Green Recovery in the Eastern Engine of Prosperity Inquiry – June 2021
Inquiry into the Green Recovery in the Eastern Engine of Prosperity Evidence Session 3: The East of England’s road to COP26
Wednesday 26th May 10:00 – 11:30
Minutes | Re-watch the session
Inquiry into the Green Recovery in the Eastern Engine of Prosperity Evidence Session 2: Transport and Digital Infrastructure
Wednesday 24th March 10:00 – 11:30
Minutes to be uploaded | Re-watch the session
Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) also took place on 24.03.21 – please view the APPG’s expenditure reports for 2020/2021 here.
Launch of Inquiry into the Green Recovery in the Eastern Engine of Prosperity Evidence Session 1: Challenges and Opportunities for Building Back Business
Wednesday 10th February 10:00 – 11:30
Minutes | Re-watch the session
After the Spending Review: Discussion and Agreement of 2021 Programme of APPG Meetings
Wednesday 9th December 10:00 – 11:30
Minutes | Letter to Matt Warman MP | Response from Matt Warman MP
Infrastructure for a Net Zero East of England and the Region’s Response and Recovery from COVID-19 with the East of England LGA
Wednesday 4th November
Zoom Meeting | Draft Minutes | Letter to Kwasi Kwarteng MP
Transport & Digital Infrastructure
15th September 2020
Zoom Meeting | Draft Minutes | Letter to Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP | Letter from Transport Secretary Grant Shapps MP
COVID-19: Health care services – innovation, integration and improvement
Thursday 16th July 2020
Zoom Meeting | Draft Minutes |Letter to Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP | Response from Edward Argar MP
East of England’s Potential Contribution to the Recovery
Thursday 7th May 2020
Reconstitution meeting
Tuesday 4th February 2020
Committee Room 14
Minutes | Budget Submission – the East of England: An Engine for Growth
If you are interested in supporting the East of England APPG then please get in contact via [email protected]