The newly formed All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Great South West has met for the first time since the General Election, signalling a strong push to unlock the economic potential of the region at the heart of Westminster.

On 29th July, Steve Race, MP for Exeter, led the inaugural meeting as the newly appointed Chair, welcoming MPs from across the South West.

He was joined by Rebecca Smith, MP for South West Devon, Richard Forde, MP for Honiton & Sidmouth, and Lord Teverson, who were all named as Vice Chairs of the APPG.

The group’s mission is ambitious: to drive investment, promote regional industries, and foster sustainable growth, aiming to deliver up to £45 billion of economic benefit by 2035.

Race highlighted the importance of unity in the face of the region’s challenges, which include transport resilience, cost of living, and low investment.

“The South West region is economically diverse and a major contributor to UK PLC,” Steve said: “However, we face unique challenges.

“Our job is to advocate for our people, businesses, and institutions so that our region can continue to grow sustainably in prosperity.”

The meeting also saw participation from Karl Tucker, Chair of the Great South West, and Ahmed Goga, Director of the Great South West, reflecting the cross-party approach the APPG will pursue.

Karl Tucker commented on the significance of the moment: “The reconstitution of the APPG comes at a pivotal time for the Great South West. With new MPs joining our efforts, we are better positioned than ever to champion the unique opportunities and address the challenges faced by our region.”

For more details on the Great South West, visit greatsouthwest.co.uk.