Local Government Chronicle - LGC:
How should councils respond to Brexit's economic shocks?
16 January 2018
Article by Henry Overman
With all British cities likely to see a fall in economic output as a result of Brexit, thoughts are turning to the policies needed to help local economies adjust to the challenges ahead. Leaving the EU may bring opportunities, but has rightly raised fears that some places and industries will face major job losses. These may occur when large firms close, downsize or restructure in a single town or city; or when structural change has a big impact on communities because of the geographical concentration of affected industries. The What Works Centre for Local Economic Growth has been working with local councils to develop appropriate policy responses to these shocks, looking at lessons from recent policy interventions aimed at dealing with major job losses. Our findings are summarised in our toolkit for policy-makers.