BOB KERSLAKE, FORMER HEAD OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AND CHAIR, UK2070 COMMISSION
Much has been said and written since the EU referendum on under-served places in Britain and the predicament of many of England’s towns. There is good reason for this. Economically, many of these places have fared badly over some decades, particularly outside of the southeast. This economic decline has been accompanied by reduced opportunity for those who live there and, in some instances, by deep rooted social issues. A symbol of all this in recent years has been the rapid and visible deterioration of town centres, with a rise in the number of charity shops or vacant buildings.
Coastal towns such as Grimsby and Blackpool have fared especially badly as their traditional businesses have faced rapid change. There has been a spirited fightback by local leaders who have made a difference, despite the limited resources available to them.