§ 32. Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent research he has commissioned on the impact of his policies on the economic plans of the Regional Development Agencies. [11365]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithThe Regional Development Agencies are key to meeting economic development challenges faced at the regional level. To support their objectives, the RDAs need a stable national macroeconomic environment in which to operate, which we have provided through the national framework of macroeconomic reforms and policies we have implemented since 1997. Within that framework, we have also given RDAs the flexibility and autonomy they need to address regional priorities and deliver economic growth within and between every region.
To understand more fully the regional impact of national policies, and to ensure that the economic plans of the RDAs can best work within them, the Treasury is supporting through the Evidence-Based Policy Fund a research project, led by DTLR, to identify public expenditure flows into the regions. This project is due to be completed early in 2002.