Levelling up: the need for an institutionally coordinated approach to regional and national productivity

The paper argues that the UK’s endemic regional–national productivity problems cannot be addressed by the UK’s current institutional and governance set-up. This paper argues that the establishment of an appropriate institution, body or forum is essential in order to fill the current governance vacuum. The appropriate nature, form and logic of such a body can be gleaned by observing various international comparator bodies which undertake different aspects of the types of roles and tasks that a UK body must necessarily undertake. The options for a UK body comprising elements of these comparator institutions are discussed in detail.