Responses to major policy challenges should be informed by the best available evidence.
Our policy pages pull together evidence, guidance and case studies for policymakers. They are designed to support an evidence-informed approach to some of today’s biggest policy challenges including:
- Local growth plans
Some existing resources to help places think through their local economy and identify what to include in their local growth plan and economic strategy. - Supporting local business investment
An outline of why local investment matters, the current policy context in the UK, and some What Works Growth resources covering key interventions, as well as useful external resources. - Local economies and net zero
Net-zero transition will be a major force affecting local economies over the coming years. How to think about the effects of this transition for local economic policy, and outcomes like employment. - Tackling economic inactivity, building skills, and supporting good jobs
Some resources from What Works Growth and external sources to help thinking on how to develop local approaches to these labour market challenges. - Developing an effective local industrial strategy
A set of ideas about how both local and central government might address some of the challenges of designing an evidence-based industrial strategy. - Evidence-based policy in disadvantaged places
A set of ideas on how evidence-based policymaking could support better outcomes in disadvantaged places.
Previous policy challenges include:
- Economic recovery from Covid-19
Some resources to help places make more informed decisions about policies to support economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. - Levelling up
Some resources to help places understand and thinking through the Levelling Up White Paper, published by Central Government in February 2022. - Responding to Brexit
Some ideas on how Brexit could impact the local economy and how our evidence reviews and toolkits can help places to think through and respond to Brexit.
