William Eichler 26 March 2018

Industrial strategy neglecting fortunes of ‘left-behind’ areas, think tank warns

The Government’s decision to focus its industrial strategy on the most advanced areas of England risks neglecting the economic fortunes of the bulk of the country, think tank warns.

A new report from the think tank Localis examines how strategic authorities, such as mayoral combined authorities and county councils, can drive the industrial strategy at a local level to raise prosperity and living standards.

The Delivery of an Industrial Strategy - Raising Prosperity Across England warned the Government against focusing all of its attention and resources for the industrial strategy on Greater Manchester, the West Midlands and the Oxford-Cambridge corridor - the most economically advanced areas.

It said this would risk the rest of the country, particularly the poorest areas, being neglected by the strategy.

The think tank also discovered the relationship between productivity and wages varied ‘significantly’ across the country.

Hounslow in London, for example, saw a 55% increase in productivity and an 11% rise in wages. Whereas Mendip in Somerset saw a 22% increase in productivity and a 10% drop in wages.

In East Dorset there was a 9.5% increase in productivity and a 21.2% increases in wages, while in Wyre in Lancashire there was a 3.7% increase in productivity and an 18% increase in wages.

Overall, polling data from YouGov - commissioned by Localis - showed exactly half of those surveyed felt they were paid less than they deserved, nearly a third (31%) paid roughly the right amount, and 7% felt overpaid.

The polling figures also indicated nearly two thirds (61%) of people felt unrewarded for hard work.

‘These figures show too often the relationship between the individual and the economy is broken, or seen to be broken, and too often works disproportionately better for some than others,’ Jack Airey, head of research at Localis.

‘Across the world, recent votes against the status-quo suggests this to be politically unsustainable for mainstream politics. Tackling many peoples’ estrangement with the economy should be a primary aim of current and future governments.’

Cllr Paul Carter, leader of Kent County Council, commented: ‘The Local Industrial Strategy is an opportunity to re-connect employers and employees to local growth and for government and counties to work together in new and creative ways relevant to local business.

‘In planning for new jobs and homes, successful Local Industrial Strategies must attract new local investment and connect local people and places – with their impressive track record of enabling economic growth, Counties must be at the heart of these plans.’

The MJ looks at the latest report from Localis in more detail here (£).

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay award pending)
Do you have a real passion for helping families to make positive changes for themselves and their children? This might be the right role for you!   WH Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Clerical Officer Receptionist

Durham County Council
Grade 3 £24,404 - £25,183 Pro Rata to hours worked Pay award pending
WHAT IS INVOLVED? We are looking to appoint a part time Clerical officer/Receptionist within Business Services to provide a professional, effective a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administration Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711 pro rata
Administration Assistant Grade 5    £25,584 - £27,711 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31 December 2025 37 hours per week, Te Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
Support Assistant Grade 1 £24,027 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31st October 2026 Part Time, 32.5 hours Mon - Fri 9am -4pm Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lecturer in Foundation Learning -Maths, English and Digital

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 pro rata for part-time term time working PAY AWARD PENDING
The DurhamLearn Foundation Learning programme area delivers Digital Skills, English and Maths Functional Skills.   An opportunity has arisen for a Lec Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner