The Centre Think Tank logo in pink consists of the word “Centre” with a dot in the middle of the letter “C”, all in pink.
The Centre Think Tank logo in pink consists of the word “Centre” with a dot in the middle of the letter “C”, all in pink.
The Centre Think Tank logo in pink consists of the word “Centre” with a dot in the middle of the letter “C”, all in pink.

Our vision

Local power

Local power looks at how Metro Mayors can shake the UK out of its productivity slump.

A pink strip at the top of the paper with the words: "Centre Think Tank ISSN 2634-4696". The paper title is "Local power: How Metro Mayors can help shake the UK out of its productivity slump". Below this is the main cover section in a dark yellow with four postage stamps, each depicting an area of the UK. These are "London" with a picture of Big Ben and a London bus, "Cumbria" with a mountain in the background, "Derbyshire" with a viaduct and "Yorkshire" with green hills and a mountain in the background. Briefing paper. By Alexander Rose, September 21st 2022. At the bottom is a white strip with the Centre Think Tank logo in pink beneath.

Local power: How Metro Mayors can help shake the UK out of it’s productivity slump.

This paper looks at how Metro Mayors can help shake the UK out of its productivity slump and how they can be strengthened to increase productivity.
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Quick summary

  • The UK is faced with an unprecedented productivity crisis, which is damaging the economy and living standards. This isn’t a problem that impacts every part of the UK equally – some areas have very high productivity, whilst others are very low.
  • This paper argues that Metro Mayors are often best placed to identify and support measures which increase productivity. Therefore, the government should empower Metro Mayors to deliver this role.
  • Areas without a Metro Mayor must not be left behind. Proposals such as County Deals are a step in the right direction but need to be accelerated and improved to present a genuine alternative.
  • In particular, the government should ditch the “earned confidence” approach to promote a direct link between areas coming up with good ideas and economic improvements. Mayors should be given greater powers and funding, but this must be balanced with safeguards on public money.

Authors

Alexander Rose

Public Funding Lawyer at DWF

Alexander is a former Government Lawyer and is now one of the UKs leading Public Funding lawyers working at DWF. He was also a former European Commission Secondee.