Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, on Friday published an ambitious economic recovery plan called Building Back Better that is supported by business, academia, the social economy, the public sector and trades unions.

The plan, which has been submitted to UK central government, sets out how £1.4 billion in investment could unlock £8.8 billion of projects to begin in the next 12 months.

Rotherham said those projects would create 94,000 permanent jobs, with a further 28,000 jobs in construction.

He said the plan has four themes – the business ecosystem, people-focused recovery, place, and a green recovery.

Rotheram said: “This pandemic has rocked us all and we still face tough times ahead, but my ambition to build a globally competitive, environmentally responsible and socially inclusive economy for the whole of our region remains undimmed.

“Before COVID-19, the city region’s growth rate of 3.5% was much higher than national levels, with well-above average productivity growth based on ten years of strong economic progress.

“We will build on these solid foundations.

“Alongside our strengths, we know that we still face hugely significant underlying challenges in health, education and skills and economic inactivity in our communities.

“Our recovery plan is focused on tackling these challenges and supporting the people of our city region – tackling inequality, creating jobs, supporting businesses, driving innovation, building new homes, and giving people the skills, they need to fulfil their ambitions.

“The challenge ahead is beyond the capabilities of any one city region, or any one organisation, to deal with alone.

“It is only by working together, with all of our partners across the city region and with government, that we will prevail and Build Back Better than ever.”