A new inquiry into regional imbalances in the UK economy has been launched by the Treasury Committee.
The Treasury Committee writes:
The Treasury Committee has launched an inquiry into regional imbalances in the UK economy. There will be two strands to the inquiry. Firstly, the Committee will examine the nature of regional imbalances in economic growth which currently exist in the UK. Secondly, the Committee will establish what regional data is currently available in the UK, how it could be used more effectively in policy development, and whether there should be official regional economic forecasts produced. The Committee will accept written evidence until 2 August.
LocalGov writes:
The inquiry will examine the nature of regional imbalances in economic growth and explore how regional data can be used more effectively in policy development. It will also explore if official regional economic forecasts should be produced.
Chair of the Committee, Nicky Morgan, said: ‘Whether it be a divide between north and south, towns and cities, or urban and rural, people experience the chasm which exists between various parts of the UK through their day to day lives. For example, differences not just in economic growth and income, but also in health and educational outcomes and the quality of infrastructure. As part of this inquiry, we’ll examine why this is the case, what the effects are in terms of imbalances, such as wages and employment, and how successful regional programmes have been in promoting regional economic growth.’
The Treasury Committee will seek to identify the disparities and explore how better data can inform policy makers on how best to level the playing field.’
