New directions in economic development: localist policy discourses and the Localism Act

Since entering office in 2010, a distinct grammar of localism has pervaded the UK Government’s philosophical outlook, which has inflected localist policy discourses and practice. Now that the Coalition administration’s ‘local’ economic development policy is becoming a little clearer, it is timely to consider the implications of this new grammar for the scope, organisation and mobilisation of economic development interventions. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to trace new and emergent directions in economic development through a focus on the 2011 Localism Act, which applies to England and Wales. The paper interprets these changes through a localist conceptual prism, which helps to refract different varieties of localism. The findings raise some serious concerns regarding localism in action and expose the controlling tendencies of central government. Analysis is also directed towards the uneasy relationship between centralised powers, conditional decentralisation and fragmented localism. Nevertheless, some cases of emergent practice are utilised to demonstrate how ‘constrained freedoms’ can be negotiated to undertake innovative actions. The paper concludes by suggesting some foundational elements that would support the notion of ‘empowered localities’ and may also secure the government’s imperative to enable private sector-led growth

LEPs – living up to the hype? The changing framework for regional economic development and localism in the UK

From when the idea of local enterprise partnerships was first floated in the run-up to the May 2010 general election, there has been fervent discussion and steadfast work by the Coalition government to replace the nine regional development agencies of England with the new LEPS. Vince Cable MP called the decision to abolish the RDAs the Coalition’s “Maoist moment”. Thirteen years of work to establish a comprehensive system of regional development for England has since been abolished and abandoned. The philosophy and rationale for the establishment of the RDAs was set out in the 1997 white paper Building Partnerships for Prosperity: Sustainability, Growth, Competitiveness and Employment in the English Regions. Their main promoter was John Prescott MP, then deputy prime minister under the Blair government. This chapter examines whether LEPs are living up to the hype

No new special deal for the UK; Raab-Barnier talks bear out single market sacrosanct

It was hinted on Wednesday in a visit to Berlin, that Barnier would offer the UK a ‘special deal’ on EU-UK trade relations post-Brexit that was “unlike anything it has struck with any country outside the bloc”. [1] It was speculated what this might be; a best guess being a mix of the Canada and Norway deals. The market however took this to mean Brussels was prepared to accede to the Chequers proposals, under which the UK would gain single market access for agricultural and industrial goods, and a customs agreement which provides for friction-free trade – the backstop – in particular, to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

No deal Brexit? What, no cherry cake? At last, project reality not project fear?

The publication by government of 24 documents on 23 August, on what to do if there’s no Brexit deal [1] should read, this is what happens when the UK leaves the EU. It recognises at last that Brexit really does entail costs. A no deal Brexit is what Brexit really is; Brexit means leaving the European Union, lock, stock and barrel. And all the talk about a ‘soft Brexit’ is really diversionary, a pussy-footing about Brexit. ‘Soft Brexit’ should be referred to as ‘Post Brexit Trade Deal Negotiations’. But, can the publication of the Guides be seen as a tactic to spur the 27 EU members on to agree a trade deal with the UK? I think not, when we recall what the Chequers proposals consist of. [2

Evidence submitted to the BIS Select Committee consultation on Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and the Regional Growth Fund (RGF)

The evidence summarised in this submission is based on the national research project: From Regionalism to Localism: Cross Country LEPs. The aim of this research is to monitor what steps are being taken by LEPs to support businesses to create jobs and support the development of local economies. The research explores the issues arising from the formation of the LEPs over their first three years, 2010-2013 and is monitoring the journey of the LEPs nationally. LEPs are the chief vehicle for economic development within the context of localism but are delivering national level initiatives, such as Enterprise Zones. Indeed, they have been set a considerable challenge – uniting business, public and community interests in a way that enables the economic regeneration and growth of local places. The research drills-down to focus on four particular ‘regions’: the North East; Yorkshire and the Humber; the West Midlands and the South West. Some of the project team’s initial and emerging research outputs are appended to this submission

APPG on local growth, local enterprise partnerships and enterprise zones - memorandum of written evidence

The evidence summarised in this submission is based on the national research project: From Regionalism to Localism: Cross Country LEPs. The aim of this research is to monitor what steps are being taken by LEPs to support businesses to create jobs and support the development of local economies. The research explores the issues arising from the formation of the LEPs over their first three years, 2010-2013 and is monitoring the journey of the LEPs nationally. LEPs are the chief vehicle for economic development within the context of localism but are delivering national level initiatives, such as Enterprise Zones. Indeed, they have been set a considerable challenge – uniting business, public and community interests in a way that enables the economic regeneration and growth of local places. The research focuses on four particular ‘regions’: the North East; Yorkshire and the Humber; the West Midlands and the South West

Brexit Deal Talks: Stalemate. But why can’t we budge?

Well! Boris had dinner with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen last Wednesday evening, 9 December 2020, in Brussels. They were joined by Lord Frost and Michel Barnier, lead negotiators respectively for the UK and the EU. Turbot was on the menu, moot, given that the issue of fishing rights is part of the discussions over a post-Brexit free trade deal. Dessert was reported ironically as being pavlova, an Australian recipe. One wonders, whether the first course was Brussels pate; it was scallops

A Just Transition to an Electric Vehicle Production System. Are We Ready? Jobs, Skills and Qualifications

In this blog I report on our project on a “just transition[i]” to electric vehicles in the automotive sector (with Alex de Ruyter, Sally Weller, Ian Henry, Al Rainnie, and Beverley Nielsen) that was funded by the British Academy, and the implications for the West Midlands. The focus here is on what skills mix is needed and where skills gaps are, and what the role of government should be to facilitate the transition

Boris pulls a rabbit out of the hat – but will Super Saturday result in a dead duck in a ditch?

After weeks of brinkmanship, at the eleventh hour, Boris Johnson has clinched a mutually acceptable agreement between the EU and the UK, for the UK to leave the European Union on 31 October. To focus on what it means for Ireland, it has been interesting to read that it seems that the EU has been more concerned to meet the requirements of the Good Friday Agreement than the UK. Johnson’s earlier proposals involving the setting up customs centres on Irish land