Inclusive and sustainable local economic performance evidence review

This evidence review summarises key policies and research related to inclusive and sustainable local economic performance, focusing on strengthening economic development partnerships within place. It examines inclusive and sustainable local economic performance, national and local policies, the varying capabilities and capacities in place, and lessons learnt from local partnerships to improve inclusive and sustainable economic performance, both UK-based and international. The review aims to inform the development of inclusive and sustainable local economic partnerships, through the identification of key challenges and demonstration of good practice. 

Policy makers and researchers should prioritise improving the evidence base, structure, funding, powers and resources of devolved national and sub-national governments to ensure that they have the capacity and capability to create transformational change. 

“The lack of clear structure, funding and resources is leading to poor capacity and capability in place and, as a result, impacting the ability of place-based institutions to create transformational change.” Alice Pugh, City-REDI Policy and Data Analyst.

Inclusive and sustainable local economic performance evidence review:

 


Please reference this paper as:

 Pugh, A. (2024). Inclusive and sustainable local economic performance evidence review. The Local Policy Innovation Partnership Hub.

Alice Pugh

Alice Pugh joined City-REDI in February 2021 as a Policy and Data Analyst. She completed her undergraduate degree in BA Economics at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2019. As part of her undergraduate degree, Alice completed a sandwich year with the Department for Work and Pensions as an Economic Data Analyst, working with big data, creating dashboards and conducting evaluations.  She then went on to complete her postgraduate degree in MA Criminology at the University of Manchester. 

Alice’s areas of interest include economics, business case strategy support, sustainable economic development, resilience, public policy, inequality, socio-economic crime, drug policy and criminalisation and data visualisation. 

Publications

Policy Fragmentation and Place-Based Opportunity in UK Fashion and Textiles

This report analyses the positioning of the UK fashion and textiles sector within national, devolved and local policy frameworks to assess its capacity to operate as a stable, place-based economic system that supports skills retention, inclusive growth and regional resilience. Using fashion and textiles as a case study for the

AI in Local Government: Adoption, Benefits and Challenges

This report provides a timely stocktake of how artificial intelligence is being adopted in local government, what benefits are emerging, and what barriers still limit its wider deployment. It draws on analysis of 101 published AI case studies and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, from local and central

Skills for the Future: Demand for and Supply of High-Skilled Labour Across England

This study maps employer demand for higher-level qualifications (at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 4 and above), the supply of residents with these qualifications, and the resulting demand-supply gaps across England’s 38 Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) areas (as defined in 2023). It combines online vacancy data and official labour

Dialling Up Democracy in the 21st Century: Pathways for Renewal

This policy working paper explores how democratic innovation can help renew trust, participation, and legitimacy in the UK’s democratic system. Building on earlier LPIP work on social value and community-centred innovation, it examines the social, institutional, and structural pressures currently facing democracy, particularly in the context of devolution and regional