A report by a committee of MPs said that Britain's biggest regeneration project (the Thames Gateway) could became a 'public spending calamity' if management was not 'vastly' improved.
Source: The Thames Gateway: Laying the Foundations, Sixty-second Report (Session 2006-07), HC 693, House of Commons Public Accounts Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | Liberal Democrats press release | BBC report
Date: 2007-Nov
A think-tank report said that the Labour government had failed to close the economic North-South divide since 1997.
Source: Michael Johnson, Olga Mrinska and Howard Reed, The Northern Economy in the Next Decade, Institute for Public Policy Research (020 7470 6100)
Links: Report | IPPR press release | BBC report | Guardian report | FT report
Date: 2007-Nov
The government published a delivery plan for the £9 billion Thames Gateway project. It gave details of a spending programme from 2008-2011 to accelerate regeneration in the area, and identified where resources were needed in the longer term.
Source: Thames Gateway: The Delivery Plan, Department for Communities and Local Government (0870 1226 236)
Links: Plan | Summary | Hansard | DCLG press release | PM Speech | CABE press release | FT report | BBC report
Date: 2007-Nov
A study examined how far the economic and social aspects of regeneration were being effectively linked, and the extent to which political devolution in Scotland, Wales, and London was bringing greater strategic attention to the needs of deprived areas. New and emerging governance structures needed a more integrated approach to tackling worklessness and other economic problems facing deprived areas.
Source: David North, Stephen Syrett and David Etherington, Devolution and Regional Governance: Tackling the economic needs of deprived areas, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 430033)
Links: Report | JRF Findings | JRF press release
Date: 2007-Oct
An article examined whether the social capital of individuals in distressed communities could be enhanced by local community development programmes; and, subsequently, whether the employability and employment opportunities of programme participants increased.
Source: Nicholas Miles and Janet Tully, 'Regional development agency policy to tackle economic exclusion? The role of social capital in distressed communities', Regional Studies, Volume 41 Number 6
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Aug
A think-tank report examined the geographical pattern of employment polarization across the British regions – a growth in the number of high-paid and low-paid jobs relative to middle-ranking occupations.
Source: Ioannis Kaplanis, The Geography of Employment Polarisation in Britain, Institute for Public Policy Research (020 7470 6100)
Date: 2007-Jul
The government announced the results of a review of sub-national economic development and regeneration. It outlined plans to give local authorities a greater role, with a proposed new duty to analyze the economic circumstances and challenges of their local economy. Neighbourhood renewal funding would be concentrated more closely on the most deprived areas. Regional assemblies would be phased out from 2010.
Source: Review of sub-national economic development and regeneration, HM Treasury (020 7270 4558)
Links: Report | Hansard | HMT press release | NLGN press release | IPPR press release | TCPA press release | CRC press release | CPRE press release | Conservative Party press release | BBC report
Date: 2007-Jul
A report assessed different regions of England in terms of building standards, carbon dioxide emissions, transport, biodiversity, renewable energy, and protected landscapes. England?s regions were not getting to grips with environmental problems: but it was the government?s approach to economic development that made it difficult for regional bodies to develop 'eco-friendly' policies.
Source: How Green Is My Region?, Campaign to Protect Rural England (020 7981 2800) and others
Links: Report | CPRE press release
Date: 2007-Jul
A report (by an organization representing manufacturing firms) said that the role and objectives of the Regional Development Agencies needed a significant revamp if they were to tackle regional imbalances and improve economic performance outside London and the south-east region of England.
Source: Improving Performance? A Review of Regional Development Agencies, EEF (020 7654 1575)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-May
A report said that regional disparities were seriously impeding realization of economic potential. Although 'city regions' might be right for some areas, for many they were inappropriate and should not be imposed in a 'one-size-fits-all' approach. A more realistic approach was needed which recognized the significance of polycentricity, county regions, and other zones based on economic sectors and communication corridors.
Source: Making the Most of Our Economic Potential: Looking beyond the core cities, Chief Economic Development Officers Society (0116 265 7028) and County Surveyors? Society
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Apr
The Northern Ireland Executive began consultation on a draft regional economic strategy, setting out its commitment to focus resources on four key areas that would help to transform Northern Ireland into a high value-added, highly skilled, innovative, and enterprising economy.
Source: Northern Ireland Draft Regional Economic Strategy, Northern Ireland Executive (028 9052 0500)
Links: Consultation document | NIE press release
Date: 2007-Jan