In Search of the ‘Economic Dividend’ of Devolution: Spatial Disparities, Spatial Economic Policy, and Decentralisation in the UK

Andy Pike, Andrés Rodríguez-Pose, John Tomaney, Gianpiero Torrisi () and Vassilis Tselios
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Andy Pike: Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies (CURDS), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, England
Andrés Rodríguez-Pose: Department of Geography and Environment, London School of Economics, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, England and IMDEA Social Sciences Institute, Madrid, Spain
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Andrés Rodríguez-Pose

Environment and Planning C, 2012, vol. 30, issue 1, 10-28

Abstract: After a decade of devolution and amid uncertainties about its effects, it is timely to assess and reflect upon the evidence and enduring meaning of any ‘economic dividend’ of devolution in the UK. Taking an institutionalist and quantitative approach, we seek to discern the nature and extent of any economic dividend through a conceptual and empirical analysis of the relationships between spatial disparities, spatial economic policy, and decentralisation. Situating the UK experience within its evolving historical context, we find: (i) a varied and uneven nature of the relationships between regional disparities, spatial economic policy, and decentralisation that change direction during specific time periods; (ii) the role of national economic growth is pivotal in explaining spatial disparities and the nature and extent of their relationship with the particular forms of spatial economic policy and decentralisation deployed; and, (iii) there is limited evidence that any economic dividend of devolution has emerged, but this remains difficult to discern because its likely effects are overridden by the role of national economic growth in decisively shaping the pattern of spatial disparities and in determining the scope and effects of spatial economic policy and decentralisation.

Keywords: economic dividend; devolution; spatial disparities; spatial economic policy; decentralisation; UK (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:envirc:v:30:y:2012:i:1:p:10-28

DOI: 10.1068/c10214r

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