Written evidence for Departments for Business Innovation and Skills, Communities and Local Government and HM Treasury consultation, Regional Growth Fund,

This memorandum is based upon the findings of a recent Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) project entitled English regionalism: Rhetoric or Substance? Evaluating decision making procedures for Regional Funding Allocations. In addition it draws on work conducted by the authors on the governance of England over the last decade. Its main argument is that whilst the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) may be regarded as providing a useful source of investment for local enterprise, we have significant doubts about its effectiveness. First, the levels of funds available are unlikely to make any significant impact on rebalancing economic growth in England. Second, there are questions over the capacity of emerging Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). Third, the willingness of central government to cede genuine control to the sub-national tier remains unproven.