Renewing industrial regions? Advanced manufacturing and industrial policy in Britain

Sunley, Peter; Evenhuis, Emil; Harris, Jack; Harris, Richard; Martin, Ron; Pike, Andy

Abstract

The UK’s industrial strategy, with local variants, aims to support manufacturing in ‘traditional industrial regions’ (TIRs). Using novel data for advanced manufacturing (AM) industries over several decades, we examine long-term changes in their geography by regions and local authority districts. These industries have shifted away from large urban regions, and local authority districts in TIRs have lost ground relative to those in other regions, although there are variations between industries. Foreign direct investment has tended to locate in non-TIR locations. AM industries have not shifted decisively towards research-intensive regions. We consider the implications for policy initiatives seeking to spark clusters around innovation districts.

Citation

Sunley, P., Evenhuis, E., Harris, J., Harris, R., Martin, R., & Pike, A. (2023). Renewing industrial regions? Advanced manufacturing and industrial policy in Britain. Regional Studies, 57(6), 1126-1140. https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2021.1983163

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Oct 28, 2021
• Publication Date: 2023-06
• Deposit Date: Jan 14, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 14, 2022
• Journal: Regional Studies
• Print ISSN: 0034-3404
• Electronic ISSN: 1360-0591
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 57
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 1126-1140
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2021.1983163
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1219988