Turn, but don’t step back: The regeneration legacy of government cuts

Abstract

The Chancellor’s announcement in 2013 that ‘Britain is turning a corner’ may help lighten the mood but, as the austerity mindset is increasingly eroded by the first tentative signs of economic recovery, it is contended that the legacy of government cuts will remain far-reaching. A relatively long-term failure to invest during the ‘boom’ years and reliance on third- and private-sector stimulation during the ‘bust’ period are having a negative impact on precisely those communities that most require support. At the same time, central government is withdrawing financial assistance, dismantling delivery mechanisms and rhetorically shifting focus away from ‘regeneration’ and towards ‘growth’. It is therefore imperative to recognise the ongoing need to instigate a more measured and holistic approach to regeneration. Turning a corner must not involve turning our backs.