Wigan Council economic growth partnership aims to boost jobs and skills 2026

Key Points

• A partnership agreement that will promote economic growth has been signed between Wigan Council and Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
• The agreement seeks to increase inclusive economic growth, innovation, and digital skills development.
• The agreement was signed by Wigan Council leader, Cllr Nazia Rehman and Hammersmith and Fulham Council leader, Cllr Stephen Cowan.
• The partnership agreement was signed during the Upstream London Network Economic Forum 2026, on 13th October.
• The partnership comes following a blueprint on place-based, innovation-led and inclusive growth, written by Cllr Cowan.
• According to Wigan Council, the agreement aligns with its “Progress with Unity” philosophy and its ambitions for growth in all postcodes.
• Cllr Cowan stated that Hammersmith and Fulham’s strategy had resulted in £6.5 billion growth investment, and creation of 17,200 STEM jobs.
• Wigan and Hammersmith and Fulham Councils stated that the partnership would facilitate collaboration and innovation ecosystems.

Wigan (Manchester Mirror) October 16, 2026 — Wigan Council has signed a new economic growth partnership agreement with Hammersmith and Fulham Council, in a move intended to accelerate inclusive economic growth, digital innovation and skills development across both boroughs.

The agreement was signed by Wigan Council leader Cllr Nazia Rehman and her Hammersmith and Fulham counterpart, Cllr Stephen Cowan. It was announced by Wigan Council on Friday, October 16, 2026.

According to Wigan Council, the partnership is designed to connect two local authorities that want to develop practical collaboration, expand high-growth innovation ecosystems and deliver inclusive economic growth in their respective areas.

The signing took place at the Upstream London Network Economic Forum 2026 on Tuesday, October 13. Wigan Council said partners gathered there to launch the first chapter of a blueprint for place-based, innovation-led and inclusive growth, authored by Cllr Cowan.

The council described the agreement as a partnership forged to drive economic growth and support what it called Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s drive for growth in every postcode.

Why Have The Two Councils Formed This Partnership?

Wigan Council says the partnership will allow the two authorities to learn from one another while addressing shared challenges facing local government. The council says it wants to create high-quality jobs, career pathways and growth sectors that encourage young people to remain in the borough and build careers close to home.

As reported by Wigan Council, Cllr Rehman said:

“Learning together can help us to deliver growth to every postcode in Wigan Borough, aligned with our Progress with Unity principles.”

She added:

• “Places like Wigan and Hammersmith and Fulham are asking the same questions; how do we grow our economies in a way that benefits local people.”

Cllr Rehman said the alliance would give Wigan “a seat on a table with more ideas, investment opportunities and practical examples”. She also said the council wanted to build a genuine partnership based on an honest sharing of successes and challenges.

Wigan Council said its ambition is to invest in innovation, digital skills and emerging industries so that future opportunities can be found within the borough.

What Did Wigan’s Council Leader Say?

Cllr Rehman said the partnership would support Wigan’s efforts to deliver growth across every postcode in the borough. She framed the agreement as part of the council’s wider “Progress with Unity” principles.

According to Wigan Council, she said:

“We want to build a genuine partnership with an honest sharing of our successes while addressing the challenges facing local authorities. This alliance will give us a seat on a table with more ideas, investment opportunities and practical examples.”

She continued:

“Our ambition is to create the high-quality jobs, career pathways and growth sectors that encourage more young people to stay, build successful careers and fulfil their ambitions close to home. We’re investing in innovation, digital skills and emerging industries so that the opportunities of the future can be found right here.”

The council did not announce a specific funding package, individual projects or a timetable for delivery alongside the agreement.

What Did Hammersmith and Fulham Say About The Agreement?

Hammersmith and Fulham leader Cllr Stephen Cowan, who is also chair of London Councils, welcomed Wigan’s involvement in the partnership. He said the blueprint was intended to create a practical model that could support the Government’s mission of growth in every postcode.

As reported by Wigan Council, Cllr Cowan said: “It is particularly pleasing that Wigan, under the leadership of Cllr Rehman, shares these values and is becoming one of our partners, joining our national and international alliance of leaders – an alliance of friends with a shared vision to grow our economies and make them inclusive so everyone benefits.”

He said place-based, innovation-led and inclusive growth would allow towns, cities and regions to compete globally while retaining their local identity.

Cllr Cowan said: “In the UK, that points naturally to local municipal government, where an economic growth strategy can sit alongside the other powers already held at that level: planning, zoning, public amenities, skills, infrastructure and council tax.”

He added that every council needed its own locally specific, place-based economic growth plan, each contributing to a national mission of innovative and inclusive growth.

What Results Does Hammersmith and Fulham Cite?

Cllr Cowan said Hammersmith and Fulham’s experience showed that local government could play a significant role in creating innovation-led economic success.

According to Wigan Council, he said the borough had brought together businesses, universities, investors and communities around a clear mission. He said this had helped attract £6.5 billion of growth investment, curated 17,200 new STEM jobs and built one of the UK’s fastest-growing innovation economies.

STEM refers to science, technology, engineering and maths. The figures were stated by Cllr Cowan in comments published by Wigan Council and relate to Hammersmith and Fulham’s own economic development experience.

What Does The Partnership Aim To Deliver?

Wigan Council says the strategic partnership connects the two local authorities to pioneer practical collaboration and expand high-growth innovation ecosystems. It also aims to deliver inclusive economic growth across both boroughs.

The stated areas of focus are:

• Inclusive economic growth.
• Digital innovation.
• Skills development.
• High-quality jobs and career pathways.
• Innovation, digital skills and emerging industries.
• Place-based economic growth.

The announcement does not set out specific new projects, funding allocations, job targets for Wigan, or a formal review date.

Background Of The Development

The agreement was signed at the Upstream London Network Economic Forum 2026, where Wigan Council says partners launched the first chapter of a blueprint for place-based, innovation-led and inclusive growth. The blueprint was authored by Hammersmith and Fulham leader Cllr Stephen Cowan.

Wigan Council positioned the partnership within its “Progress with Unity” principles, which it says are aligned with delivering growth to every postcode in Wigan Borough. The council also linked the initiative to a wider drive for growth in every postcode.

Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s approach, as described by Cllr Cowan, involves bringing businesses, universities, investors and communities together around a shared economic mission. Wigan Council says its new partnership is intended to apply similar collaborative principles in a way suited to local circumstances.

Prediction: How Could This Affect Wigan Residents And Businesses?

For Wigan residents, the partnership could influence future local efforts around jobs, training, digital skills and emerging industries. Wigan Council has said it wants to create career pathways that encourage young people to stay in the borough, although no specific employment targets or schemes were announced with the agreement.

For local businesses, the partnership may create opportunities for collaboration, investment links and access to ideas from another council’s innovation-focused economic strategy. The extent of any practical benefit will depend on how the agreement is translated into projects, funding and delivery in Wigan.

For learners and jobseekers, the council’s stated emphasis on digital skills, innovation and emerging industries suggests a possible future focus on preparing residents for higher-value roles. However, the announcement itself does not confirm new courses, apprenticeships, employer commitments or recruitment programmes.

For Wigan Borough as a whole, the agreement signals an intention to pursue growth through partnership working rather than relying solely on local resources. Its impact is likely to become clearer only if the councils publish follow-up projects, investment plans or measurable outcomes under the new arrangement.