Government accepts Heseltine’s idea that local funding is best for growth

The government has accepted 81 of former Conservative deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine’s 89 recommendations on improving economic growth in the UK in its response to his 2012 report.

The treasury responded to Heseltine’s ‘No Stone Unturned in Pursuit of Growth’ report, published in October 2012, on 18 March, saying it had a “comprehensive economic plan to create a stronger, more balanced economy”.

Heseltine’s report made recommendations about decentralisation, unleashing the potential of local economies, strengthening partnerships with industry and improving economic growth. He said that funding should be taken away from Whitehall and given to Local Enterprise Partnerships.