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Understanding the drivers of productivity: Capital - What Works Growth

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Megan Streb @meganstreb.bsky.social · 24d

Second blog in our new series 'Understanding drivers of productivity' -- this time on understanding capital and investment - a huge factor in the UK productivity puzzle.
This is a useful addition to our 'Core Concepts' series aimed at #localgov economic development teams.

What Works Growth @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social · 24d

Capital is an important driver of productivity 📈

If businesses want to improve productivity, they might invest in new machinery to speed up production, or new software to tackle more complex and higher value tasks 💰

Read in full 👇
buff.ly/R7oZVrz

The drivers of productivity include skills, capital, innovation, enterprise and competition, and land. This blog focuses on capital.

Can expanding airports help local growth take off? - What Works Growth

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Reposted by Megan Streb

What Works Growth @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social · Aug 28

With more flights than ever taking off from the UK, airport expansion is a hot topic ✈️

But what might expansion mean for local growth in the areas around airports? Our new blog discusses some of the issues to consider👇
buff.ly/GSYeoO6

August means airports, and now that air travel has rebounded from the lows during the Covid-19 pandemic to reach levels where globally there are more flights than ever, airports face bigger and…

Multiplying the benefits of Local Growth Plans - What Works Growth

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Reposted by Megan Streb

What Works Growth @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social · Jul 14

Local Growth Plans are a key part of the government’s growth strategy.

Devolution will need to generate jobs, investment and economic activity more than the sum of their parts – multipliers can help assess these wider benefits.

Read how in our new blog👇
whatworksgrowth.org/insights/mul...

Last month the government published new guidance for Mayoral Strategic Authorities on Local Growth Plans. These are a key foundation of the new Industrial Strategy and the government’s ambitions for d...

whatworksgrowth.org

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Reposted by Megan Streb

What Works Growth @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social · Jul 7

🆕 Rapid evidence review: Local multiplier effects of changes in public spending

We’ve published a new briefing on the local multiplier effects of changes in public spending.

Read in full 👇
whatworksgrowth.org/wp-content/u...

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Megan Streb @meganstreb.bsky.social · Jul 2

Succinct podcast with the key takeaways on the impact of enterprise zones on the local economy. Great informative piece from our Deputy Director of Evidence, Victoria Sutherland, from @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social

Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · Jun 30

PODCAST | Enterprise Zones 🎙️

@andrewcities.bsky.social is joined by Victoria Sutherland from @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social to discuss their recent rapid evidence review on Enterprise Zones.

Listen now 🎧👇

The IS-8 might not be right for your place - What Works Growth

Megan Streb @meganstreb.bsky.social · Jun 27

My newest blog for @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social -- there's going to be a lot of hype for the IS-8, but places need to be realistic -- creating an advanced manufacturing cluster out of thin air isn't going to happen in most places. Take a broader approach to tradeable sectors in local economic plans.

What Works Growth @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social · Jun 27

📍The IS-8 might not be right for your place

Local economies are not all the same, and economic strategy should never be a cookie cutter approach.

Read the blog 👇

Local economies are not all the same, and economic strategy should never be a cookie cutter approach.

Linking Appraisal and Evaluation: Lessons for Smarter Public Spending - What Works Growth

Megan Streb @meganstreb.bsky.social · Jun 17

Great to have Jeff Matsu of CIPFA author a guest blog on "Linking Appraisal and Evaluation: Lessons for Smarter Public Spending" for @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social

A 6 minute read: whatworksgrowth.org/insights/lin...

UK local and combined authorities are being asked not just to justify investments but to demonstrate their impact.

whatworksgrowth.org

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Megan Streb @meganstreb.bsky.social · May 28

Enterprise zones and investment zones have been a hot topic for the last few years. But how effective are they? Our latest blog sets out what we've learned from our most recent study, and why more targeted evaluations would be useful.

What Works Growth @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social · May 28

📌Are we too harsh on enterprise zones?

"We’ve been sceptical about the value of these programmes but if central government chooses to use these approaches, it makes sense for local areas to bid."

Read our latest blog for more👇
buff.ly/i8rcOYd

Reposted by Megan Streb

What Works Growth @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social · May 8

In the 2010s, the UK government announced 48 Enterprise Zones (EZs) offering five-year rebates on business rates, simplified planning regulations, access to superfast broadband, and (in some cases) tax relief on plant and machinery investments.
buff.ly/XChupdH

Evidence topic: Area based initiatives - What Works Growth

Original evidence reviews published in January 2016. Updated evidence review on enterprise zones published May 2025. Area based initiatives can have positive impacts on local growth outcomes, but…

Recommendations for the evaluation of local growth policies - What Works Growth

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Megan Streb @meganstreb.bsky.social · Apr 23

ICYMI: The UK Government launched an evaluation registry-- it includes evaluation plans and completed evaluations from across Departments and agencies. My latest blog highlights a few ways it can support local growth policymakers, as well as helping evaluation leads at MCAs to review methodologies.

What Works Growth @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social · Apr 22

✍️Learning from what works: using the Government’s new evaluation registry

Recently, the Evaluation Task Force within the Cabinet Office launched the evaluation registry with info on over 1400 evaluations conducted across UK government.

Find out more👇
buff.ly/YtyBd29

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Megan Streb @meganstreb.bsky.social · Apr 9

@yadigomezh.bsky.social, research economist for @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social, offers recommendations for other evaluators in her newest blog.

What Works Growth @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social · Apr 9

BLOG | Recommendations for the evaluation of local growth policies ✍️

6️⃣ common lessons from our evaluations that we hope can make the process easier for others👇

We outline lessons and recommendations for the evaluation of local growth policies drawing on a number of evaluations over the years.

What works for what works evaluations: Lessons and recommendations - What Works Growth

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Reposted by Megan Streb

What Works Growth @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social · Mar 25

Rigorous evaluation plays a key role in understanding the effectiveness of local growth policies.

We aim to make impact evaluation easier for policymakers by providing advice and support.

Our new briefing outlines lessons and recommendations from our evaluations 👇

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Reposted by Megan Streb

What Works Growth @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social · Mar 31

📌BLOG | We don’t have enough impact evaluations around local growth policies, but that can change.

Our Head of Outreach, @meganstreb.bsky.social, uses our newest publication to remind us that robust evaluation can be done in the UK.

See the blog👇
buff.ly/hqNpMha

Our new publication, Lessons and recommendations from What Works Growth’s evaluations of local growth policies, draws on a number of evaluations that What Works Growth has carried out over the years.

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Megan Streb @meganstreb.bsky.social · Mar 18

Have you spoken to @philipglanville.bsky.social at @uk100.org already? They'll likely have good info on practical projects LAs are working on, and the issues they're grappling with most.

Why Industrial Strategy shouldn’t be aiming to make everywhere equally successful - What Works Growth

Reposted by Megan Streb

What Works Growth @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social · Mar 13

📌 Why Industrial Strategy shouldn’t be aiming to make everywhere equally successful

In this blog, @paulswinney.bsky.social, sets out why the Industrial Strategy should be focused on the productivity of our biggest cities.

Read now 👇
loom.ly/o-GBm_s

In this guest blog, Paul Swinney sets out why the Industrial Strategy should be focused on the productivity of our biggest cities.

Design codes for health and wellbeing - QOLF

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Reposted by Megan Streb

Julia Thrift @juliathrift.bsky.social · Mar 11

How can #councils and planners create healthier places?

This practical new guild from @qualityoflifeuk.bsky.social shows how #DesignCodes can provide a framework for healthy place-making.

it's free - do take a look!

Quality of Life Foundation @qualityoflifeuk.bsky.social · Mar 10

The #NPPF urges councils to create places that enable healthier lives. Our new guidance shows how #DesignCodes can be a powerful tool to do just that

📖 Download: www.qolf.org/what-we-do/d...

📅 Webinar: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/webinar-de...

Published w/ @tibbalds.bsky.social, @thetcpa.bsky.social

Design Codes for Health and Wellbeing provides practical advice for embedding health and wellbeing into the design coding process

www.qolf.org

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Megan Streb @meganstreb.bsky.social · Mar 7

But now you are on here?

Megan Streb @meganstreb.bsky.social · Mar 4

Ahhhhh..... the beauty of nature in London's Green Belt. (this is a bonkers story that is well worth a read) www.theguardian.com/environment/...

The Rainham volcano: a waste dump is constantly on fire in east London. Why will no one stop it?

Under Arnolds Field, tonnes of illegally dumped waste have been burning for years, spewing pollution over the area. Locals fear for their health – and despair that no one seems willing to help

www.theguardian.com

Megan Streb @meganstreb.bsky.social · Feb 28

This is a fantastic thread, and some of the years will likely have you reeling.

Professor Peter Matthews @urbaneprofessor.bsky.social · Feb 3

I've decided to spend this year's LGBT+ history month by only being a historic gay

Megan Streb @meganstreb.bsky.social · Feb 27

Fantastic to see!

Do cities and regions gain from public sector relocation? - What Works Growth

Megan Streb @meganstreb.bsky.social · Feb 27

I volunteer at a school street in Southampton. Monday and Friday mornings I see the vast majority of kids walking, scooting or cycling. But cars are so freaking big (particularly compared to kids!) that a small number can cause chaos. It's a weekly reminder of inequity.
We can do better.

walkwheelcyclet.bsky.social @walkwheelcyclet.bsky.social · Feb 26

Today sees the release of the Children’s Walking and Cycling Index report - the first of it’s kind - sponsored by Halfords

Children are often overlooked by decision-makers and officers in transport, or if they are considered, it's on the school journey.

Graphic reads: The Children's Walking and Cycling Index 2024. 81% of children want more traffic free paths. 78% support cycle paths separated from cars. Halfords. Sustrans.

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Megan Streb @meganstreb.bsky.social · Feb 27

Great piece from @maxnathan.bsky.social et al originally in @econ-observatory.bsky.social on BBC relocation + multipliers.
Can't get enough of multiplier effects? Watch the recording of our recent @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social webinar -- link in the blog intro.

What Works Growth @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social · Feb 27

BLOG | Do cities and regions gain from public sector relocation?

In this guest blog, @maxnathan.bsky.social, @henryoverman.bsky.social, Capucine Riom, and Maria Sanchez-Vidal set out evidence on the impact of BBC relocation to Salford on wider employment in the area.

Read more👇
loom.ly/hbBF_Xk

In this guest blog, Dr. Max Nathan, Henry Overman, Capucine Riom, and Maria Sanchez-Vidal set out evidence on the impact of BBC (partial) relocation to Salford on wider employment in the area. This bl...

Do cities and regions gain from public sector relocation? - What Works Growth

Reposted by Megan Streb

What Works Growth @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social · Feb 27

BLOG | Do cities and regions gain from public sector relocation?

In this guest blog, @maxnathan.bsky.social, @henryoverman.bsky.social, Capucine Riom, and Maria Sanchez-Vidal set out evidence on the impact of BBC relocation to Salford on wider employment in the area.

Read more👇
loom.ly/hbBF_Xk

In this guest blog, Dr. Max Nathan, Henry Overman, Capucine Riom, and Maria Sanchez-Vidal set out evidence on the impact of BBC (partial) relocation to Salford on wider employment in the area. This bl...

Evidence briefing: Assessing the local economic impacts of local procurement - What Works Growth

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Megan Streb @meganstreb.bsky.social · Feb 25

Public procurement as a policy lever is being pushed to #localgov in the UK. We need to be careful that we don't look at it as a magic fix for local economic issues. Our evidence briefing is worth a read.

What Works Growth @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social · Feb 24

Our evidence briefing on local procurement assesses the evidence on using procurement to drive wider local economic benefits, and includes guidance on how to think about this👇
loom.ly/nxny0uc

Public sector organisations, including local and combined authorities, use public procurement to award contracts for the purchase of goods and services. As public procurement reflects policy goals, th...