Simon Jupp MP re-elected as chair of group championing the South West in Parliament

Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon, was unanimously re-elected as Chair of the Great South West All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) at its annual general meeting on the 1st May in Parliament.

The Great South West APPG is an influential cross-party group of politicians championing the region’s economic importance and significant contributions to the UK’s defence, food and energy security.

It works alongside the Great South West Partnership, which brings together business leaders, universities, colleges, academics and local government to drive investment into Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset and the Isles of Scilly. The partnership is chaired by Karl Tucker, who is also Chair of Yeo Valley Farms Ltd, and recently appointed Ahmed Goga as its strategic director.

When he first became chair of the group of South West politicians in July 2022, Simon Jupp MP helped secure the Great South West Partnership £1.5 million of government funding over three years to deliver sustainable economic growth in the region.  

The Great South West Partnership has moved from strength to strength with the support of the East Devon MP. It will be holding a major conference at Exeter’s Sandy Park in September highlighting the South West’s importance to the future prosperity of the UK, with a senior government minister expected to deliver a keynote speech.

Supported by MPs and Lords from across the political spectrum, the East Devon MP has set out his ambition to keep driving investment into the South West as he begins his third team as chair of the region’s voice in Westminster.

Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon and Chair of the Great South West APPG, said; “It is an honour to be re-elected to lead the Great South West in Parliament. I’m constantly championing everything we have to offer and I’m proud that we have the government’s backing. In our part of Devon alone, we’ve secured major government investments over the last year including the green light for a new railway station in Cullompton, multi-million-pound funding from the Levelling Up Fund for Exmouth, £20 million for the Sidmouth Beach Management Plan, and funding for a new school to replace Tipton St John Primary. We live in the best part of Britain, with great talent and determination to further improve where we live. By working cross-party with MPs, councils, businesses and universities, we can unlock Devon, Dorset, Somerset Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly’s full potential.”

Karl Tucker, Chair of the Great South West Partnership, said; “I am delighted that Simon has been re-elected as the Chair of the Great South West APPG. Having support from the region’s MPs is essential in helping the Great South West get its message across to government and Whitehall.  Simon is a keen advocate of the region and supporter of the offer we make to the UK. In his role of Chair of the Great South West APPG, Simon helps rally South West MPs to get behind us to deliver the investment we need and deserve.”