Older industrial towns and cities across England could deliver up to £13 billion in untapped economic potential if given the right investment and powers, according to new analysis commissioned by the LGA.
The study – carried out by the Growth and Reform Network on behalf of the LGA – stripped out national, sectoral and regional trends to identify genuinely local drivers of growth.
It found that many older industrial areas, often facing slow job growth, low skills and inadequate infrastructure, also hold significant capacity for renewal.
With properly resourced councils, local leaders could tackle entrenched challenges, boost skills, attract investment and generate local jobs, helping these communities become engines of national prosperity once again.
Cllr Tom Hunt, Chair of the LGA’s Inclusive Growth Committee, said: “England’s towns and cities have a proud industrial heritage and significant potential to be drivers of economic growth.
“Economic growth is the number one priority of the Government, so providing sufficient funding to councils – who can also break down barriers to inclusive growth by using their frontline services to improve people’s health, wellbeing and prosperity – is the smart way to drive up prosperity.
“Only councils have the detailed knowledge of their communities and businesses, and are best placed to work with investors, communities and their combined authority partners, where they exist, to unlock economic potential and better jobs.”
The findings form part of the LGA’s wider call for properly funded councils and a locally driven approach to growth ahead of the Budget, on 26 November.