Dr Anna Valero will advise Rachel Reeves on delivering the UK’s Industrial Strategy
Dr Valero has previously served the Treasury before being appointed the Industrial Strategy Adviser, having worked on the Council of Economic Advisers.
The industrial strategy was announced in October last year, and notably, construction did not feature on the list of focus areas.
An expert on growth and productivity
Dr Valero is currently serving as a distinguished policy fellow at the London School of Economics and will now advise Reeves as an industrial policy expert in an unpaid 12-month appointment. She will now report directly to Reeves in her new role.
In her time on the Council of Economic Advisers, Dr Valerio was involved in the development and publication of the Industrial Strategy White Paper and Sector Plans.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “I am delighted to welcome Anna back to the Treasury’s top team as we continue in our mission to boost economic growth and raise living standards across every corner of the country through our Plan for Change.
Her wealth of expertise will help us drive forward our plan to make the UK the best country to invest in anywhere in the world.”
Dr Anna Valero said: “I’m delighted to return to Treasury as Industrial Strategy Adviser to the Chancellor, where I will help to deliver the strategy to boost investment, accelerate innovation, and generate good jobs in high-growth sectors across the UK.”
“How can you rebuild Britain without builders?”
The announcement of the Industrial Strategy last year was met with some apprehension by industry leaders, who were disappointed that the construction industry, skills crisis, and other issues were not mentioned.
The eight key focus areas were listed as:
- Advanced manufacturing
- Clean energy industries
- Creative industries
- Defence
- Digital and technologies
- Financial services
- Life sciences
- Professional and business services
At the time, Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders: “It is deeply concerning that the chancellor and business secretary have published an Industrial Strategy for the new Government, but have not felt it necessary to include reference to the construction sector as an industry for growth, during a period where the UK is experiencing both a housing and skills crisis that are holding back an economic resurgence and threaten long-term market confidence. Given the focus on rebuilding Britain, it appears those who will be doing the physical work have been forgotten.
“While the Government is focusing on inviting big innovative investment, it should not forget the fundamentals of what drives growth. The consultation is an opportunity to ensure that construction doesn’t end up as a side show sub-sector in the plan. Construction needs to be front and centre in the Government’s drive for economic growth.
“The Government has made several promising announcements in recent weeks with proposals for significant planning reforms, an ambitious house building target of 1.5m new homes, and the establishment of Skills England, all of which are welcome. However, there remain questions about the viability of these plans without serious investment to tackle the root causes. The new Industrial Strategy raises concerns around how integral to the overall UK economy Ministers see our industry, which should sit alongside services and manufacturing as a key pillar of economic growth.”
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