Rigorous evaluation improves our understanding of the effectiveness of local economic policies. Robust evaluation can be challenging but can answer many questions and lead to a more nuanced understanding. By learning from impact evaluation, policymakers can better tailor projects to needs. Unfortunately, in the UK, we don't do enough robust impact evaluation of local growth policies. At What Works Growth we want to help change that. In our recent briefing, we outline lessons and recommendations for the evaluation of local growth policies drawing on a number of evaluations undertaken by What Works Growth over the years. These cover the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, Enterprise Zones, the Growth Vouchers Programme, and Local Major transport schemes.

---

9 April 2025

---

What works centre for local economic growth

---

https://whatworksgrowth.org/insights/recommendations-for-the-evaluation-of-local-growth-policies/

This Blog is published under the centre's Urban programme.