BCC comments on regional inequalities report

Responding to the final report of the UK 2070 Commission on regional inequalities led by Lord Kerslake, published today (Thurs 27 Feb), BCC Director General Dr Adam Marshall said:

“Future UK growth depends both on investment in areas with untapped potential and on genuine devolution of decision-making powers and funding to every part of the UK.

“A long-term strategy to ‘level up’ must be shaped by business knowledge of local and regional needs, and be accountable to local communities. Government must stop perpetuating an endless cycle of transient, centrally-driven initiatives that promise much but deliver little on the ground.

“The end of EU regional development funding could have substantial consequences for investment and regeneration in many parts of the UK, and the report is right to demand immediate progress from government on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund that’s meant to replace it.”