Regional disparity in the UK is entrenched and enduring. This complex, thorny problem has been treated as peripheral and short-termism has undermined effective, evidence-based delivery.
The principles and tools outlined and advocated here encourage the systemic focus this challenge requires. They are by no means sufficient by themselves but they can aid the development of a bold project to disrupt the path that has led to economic divides which damage growth and trust.
Economic change, which can be destabilising for many, will only accelerate in the years ahead with energy, defence and technology bringing both risk and rewards. Without intervention that consciously breaks with the past, the benefits will too often concentrate in places that already perform well. The toolkit we set out here could help spread opportunities rather than deepen familiar divides.
This government has made regional growth a priority and put in place a more coherent direction than has been the case for many decades. Whether the state can become reliable, capable and purposeful enough to deliver remains to be seen.
