The Partnership for Urban South Hampshire is part of Centre for Cities’ Partner City research programme. The programme works closely with a small group of cities to inform economic development strategies and improve economic performance. This report looks at how PUSH, its component authorities and partners, can deliver on aspirations to close the growth gap with the South East, in light of the changing economic reality.
The performance of PUSH’s businesses and sectors is key to achieving the aim of closing the growth gap with the South East. The research therefore focuses on the following questions:
- How have the recession and worsening fiscal climate impacted on the growth potential of current and potential key sectors based in South Hampshire?
- What specific actions can PUSH and its component authorities take to promote GVA growth, and increased productivity and employment, generally and in these sectors?
- What key asks should the PUSH sub-region make to the next Government to support the delivery of its Economic Development Strategy?
Key Recommendations
- To improve the performance of South Hampshire, PUSH should in particular focus on strengthening the economies of Southampton and Portsmouth.
- PUSH needs to ensure that policy in key areas, such as skills, inward investment and planning, are based on an understanding of South Hampshire’s economy and sectoral strengths.
- PUSH should streamline its internal processes and focus on a narrower set of priorities to improve efficiency and facilitate business engagement.
- PUSH should develop its role in the delivery of key policy areas devolved from regional and national tiers and, if invited by the next Government, should positively consider forming a Local Enterprise Partnership.
Download the annex to this report