Linda will explore the role of the Mackay Plan, the City Growth Strategy and the new City Development Company and will highlight both the opportunities and challenges presented by the City’s ambitious plans for future growth.

In particular, Linda will outline how Plymouth’s own priorities dovetail with many of the Government’s flagship policies – including the need for more affordable housing and the requirement for skills in the workplace.

The speech follows on from last month’s adjournment debate on the future of Devonport Naval Base and Dockyard in which Linda outlined a confident but not complacent future for Plymouth’s defence sector. As well as continuing to lobby on this issue, Linda will tomorrow explore some of the City’s other key economic interests, such as medical and health services, tourism, digital media and marine science.

Linda will again highlight the City’s case for being home to the Marine Management Organisation, proposed under the Marine Bill which is currently working its way through Parliament.

Iain Wright MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Department of Communities and Local Government – whose remit includes urban regeneration, planning and housing - will deliver a response on behalf of the Government.

The speech will be delivered from 13:30 in Westminster Hall and can be viewed online via the Parliament website: http://www.parliamentlive.tv 

Monday 21 April 2008