Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling visited Milton Keynes today as part of the launch of the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy.
He attended the launch in Middleton Hall in the centre:mk this afternoon alongside Milton Keynes MPs Mark Lancaster and Iain Stewart. A self-driving car was also on display.
The event was to promote a new green paper published today by Prime Minister Theresa May on the government's new 'Modern Industrial Strategy'.
At the heart of the new strategy are deals for individual sectors and investment in research and development to support industries of the future like electric vehicles and biotech and quantum technologies.
Prime Minister Theresa May said: "This is a very important part of our plan for Britain. This is how we shape a stronger future for the UK and also ensure we are building a fairer Britain and a better Britain."
Meanwhile a government spokesperson added: "The strategy will drive growth right across the United Kingdom, using major new investments in infrastructure and research to drive prosperity – creating more high-skilled, high paid jobs and opportunities. The green paper also sets out plans to strengthen institutions in each part of the country to support their specific strengths – whether it’s building up local trade bodies, or creating new educational institutions, making it easier for business to access finance outside London or getting a stronger business voice into local government."
The proposed strategy also includes improved road and rail connections from Milton Keynes to both Oxford and Cambridge.
However, critics include Labour's shadow business secretary Clive Lewis who said: "This belated attempt to develop a proper industrial strategy is a step in the right direction, but once again what the Tories are offering looks like too little too late.
"We await further detail, but what's been announced so far will fall far short of getting us back to where we were in 2010, let alone equip our economy for the challenges of the 21st century."
