Inclusive and Sustainable Local Economic Performance

Substantial economic disparities have continued to widen across the UK, found within and between nations, regions, counties and local areas, characterised by differences in numerous performance indicators. A place cannot improve local economic performance without strong data and analytical capabilities which identify and evidence potential challenges and opportunities.

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To successfully improve inclusive and sustainable local economic performance, innovative interventions are needed to tackle issues and build on potential opportunities. This requires a strong monitoring and evaluation capacity and capabilities to understand which innovative interventions have been successful.

About this research theme

Local economic performance and the economic disparities between places has been a challenge in the UK for decades. Many interventions, policies and strategies have tried to correct widening disparities however, short term piecemeal policy has often plagued local economic development. Leading to the UK having some of the greatest intra and inter regional inequalities in Europe. In recent years, with the UK weathering major structural changes such as Brexit, recovery from the pandemic and transition to net zero, focus has again come round to local economic development and correcting the disparities that exist at a place-based level.

The aim of this research strand is to provide support and guidance to local partnerships looking to improve inclusive and sustainable local economic performance. Designing effective place-based interventions can be complex, as the challenges and opportunities facing each geography are unique. A lack of focus on the monitoring and evaluation of interventions has also led to knowledge and evidence gaps on what works. This strand will aim to demonstrate what works across a variety of interventions providing evidence to inform the development of potential interventions.

To achieve this some key questions that this research strand will seek to consider include:

What are the current economic disparities across the UK and how are they characterised?
What is the policy context for Inclusive and sustainable local economic performance in the UK?

What are the challenges for effective local partnerships?
How can data and analytical capabilities be improved to identify areas where policy and spend should be targeted according to need and opportunity?
What innovative interventions have worked in improving sustainable and inclusive economic performance?
How can monitoring and evaluation capacity and capabilities be developed to support the evaluation of new innovate interventions?

Reports