A RECOVERY plan to enable Devon to rebuild the county’s economy to be stronger, more inclusive and sustainable has been unveiled, writes Daniel Clark, local democracy reporter.

The programmes and projects listed in the prospectus for its Covid-19 Economy and Business Recovery Plan have the potential to create 30,000 new jobs, 80,000 new training places and secure investment of £550-million, generating £2.8-billion of additional economic output.

Devon’s economy is predicted to shrink by around 8%, roughly 1% more than the rest of the UK, according to a new impact assessment commissioned by Team Devon, which suggests that the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic will continue in the medium term with recovery likely to be slow through to 2023.

But the prospectus outlines the vision of how the county can level up its economy in response to the crisis with immediate priorities to seek an initial investment package of £56-million to support the hardest hit communities and sustain 6,500 local jobs, deliver 5,000 training opportunities and support 7,500 enterprises to assist businesses to re-open, adapt and grow, help young people and those at risk of redundancy find or keep a job, and invest in Devon’s hardest hit communities and sectors.

Team Devon, a public and private sector partnership drawing in expertise from business, education, skills and public sector organisations, has developed the plan with the backing of business representatives, Devon’s county, district and city councils, the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, Dartmoor National Park and Devon’s MPs.

Cllr Rufus Gilbert, Devon County Council Cabinet member for economy and skills, said: ‘Covid 19 has had a disproportionate impact on Devon’s businesses and residents and it’s likely that the next two years may be among the most challenging in living memory for our local economy.

‘All of the partners in Team Devon are united in the belief that there is now an opportunity to restart, regrow and reset our economy to enable Devon to emerge a stronger, more dynamic place to live and work.

‘With the right support at national and local level we can achieve our ambition for a more inclusive and sustainable economy that benefits us all.’

The impact of the economic downturn across Devon has varied depending on sector and location. In the tourism and hospitality sector, 92% of Devon businesses were disrupted by the crisis between March and June but only 5% of business in the digital sector faced the same level of disruption.

The unemployment claimant count in Exeter doubled in the three months to June, while in the South Hams it increased by 400%, while unemployment among those aged between 18-25 and over 50 tripled in the same period, almost twice as fast as the Devon average.

The aim of the recovery plan is to ensure economic performance and employment reaches pre-Covid-19 levels by 2022.

Cllr Neil Jory, leader of West Devon Borough Council, said: ‘I am really pleased with the recommendations in Team Devon’s recovery plan. Building back the economy and supporting our local businesses is crucial, and priority must be given to helping businesses recover.

‘It’s going to be a challenge but West Devon fully endorses this Team Devon approach. By working together, we have the potential to not just recover, but to build back better and create more sustainable communities for the future.’