SMEs and the Prospects of Devolution and Local Government Re- organisation. A Research Note

Abstract

This short note reports on the emerging findings of research into Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) business engagement in current plans for devolution and local government reorganisation. It seeks to capture the views of SMEs on the move to strategic authorities and larger unitary authorities as part of local government reorganisation and devolution in England. While devolution is repeatedly linked to economic growth, productivity and improvements to local governance capabilities, there is often little evidence about the voice or voices of businesses in debates over devolution and how business understands the practical changes it might make to businesses and the business environment. In other words, the demands of business and its support for reform are often assumed or even taken for granted