Regional aid policies after Brexit: 2nd edition

Abstract

Abstract This article revisits the issue of UK regional policy 5 years after the Brexit referendum. Though the mechanisms to replace EU regional investment funds are not yet in place, much has changed both in terms of understanding, and of policy relating to regional development, in the post-Brexit UK. These changes include the acknowledgement of wide regional variations in productivity and the UK government commitment to the ‘levelling up’ agenda. This has led to a number of policy initiatives, including revision of the Green Book and new funding intended to support ‘levelling up’. In addition, Brexit has necessitated the introduction of legislation to regulate the UK internal market. Its particular form may undermine the current constitutional settlement.