GC Insight was commissioned by Westmorland and Furness Council to develop its first Inclusive and Green Economic Growth Strategy, setting a clear long‑term framework to drive sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth across the area.
 
Covering the period 2026–2035, the strategy provides a tailored response to the challenges and opportunities facing Westmorland and Furness, aligning with the Cumbria Economic Strategy while reflecting the area’s distinct geography, communities and economic strengths.

Our Role:

GC Insight worked with Westmorland and Furness Council, local stakeholders, and collaborators WSP and CLES to deliver a robust evidence base and co‑designed strategy, grounded in data, insight and local engagement. Our role focused on developing a clear understanding of People, Business and Place, ensuring the strategy was both analytically strong and practically deliverable.

The strategy identified that Westmorland and Furness is characterised by extraordinary natural assets, strong industrial capabilities and thriving market towns – but also faces a set of structural economic challenges linked to:

• A declining and ageing working-age population
• Skills shortages across priority sectors
• Rural and connectivity constraints​
• Ensuring growth delivers inclusive outcomes for residents and communities

Through the project, we:

• Developed the economic evidence base, combining traditional datasets with innovative analysis such as Growth Flag and The Data City to identify high‑growth sectors and opportunities
• Provided baseline analysis across people, business and place to understand current performance and future needs
• Reviewed national, regional and local policy to ensure strong strategic alignment
• Supporting stakeholder engagement and visioning activity to shape priorities and delivery
• Translated evidence into a clear strategic framework and actionable priorities

Outcome:

The final strategy sets out a clear vision for inclusive and green growth, structured around three interconnected themes of People, Business and Place. These are underpinned by cross‑cutting commitments to inclusive growth, green growth and sustainability, ensuring economic progress supports quality of life and long‑term resilience in the region.
 
The strategy also establishes a delivery framework to guide implementation, clarify roles and measure progress, helping the Council and a range of partners to realise the strategy's ambitions.
 
You can read the strategy here.