Local and Regional Economic Development

Since the election of New Labour in 1997, there have been substantial changes made to local and regional economic development policy in the UK. This volume offers an overview, setting the new policies within a wider historic context and suggesting future developments. It examines four of these new policies in depth - regional development agencies, New Deal local partnerships, local learning and skills council, and the Small Business Service and Business link. In doing so, it offers a critical appraisal of how effective these changes have been in tackling issues such as developing human resources, skills and opportunities, developing land infrastructure and sites, capital formation and development, encouraging innovation, entrepreneurship and technological chnage, and enhancing a supportive institutional context.