Is there a role for culture in rebalancing the UK economy?

Abstract

The UK has among the worst regional economic imbalances in the developed world, despite attempts to change this stretching back decades. Second tier (core) cities have a significant role in addressing this imbalance, as drivers of wider city regions and labour markets, although that happens best when surrounding areas also benefit, through a ‘networked economy’ approach rather than trickle-down. Successful cities rely on a vibrant cultural scene as part of their offer, and culture is an important economic and employment sector in its own right. Yet in the UK, public funding for culture is under intense pressure due to the programme of austerity which has diverted funds to statutory services with rising demand. The Cultural Cities Enquiry was set up to investigate innovative sources of cultural investment, and was launched in early 2019. This paper sets out the key recommendations of that enquiry, linking them to the vital importance of culture in supporting the future success of cities, as they in turn support economic rebalancing in the UK. The paper argues that a more radical approach to devolution, national locational investment decisions and alignment of resources is needed to deliver rebalancing, and that this will also deliver new sources of — and free up investment for — culture, as part of the mix of creating successful places.