Local priorities, national missions: how Mayoral Strategic Authorities are navigating central–local relations in industrial policy

Arnold, Thomas ORCID: 0000-0002-4223-5639 and Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place (2026) Local priorities, national missions: how Mayoral Strategic Authorities are navigating central–local relations in industrial policy [Report]

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Executive Summary

Key takeaways • As part of its aim to boost economic growth across the UK, in 2025 the Government asked Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) in England to develop Local Growth Plans (LGPs). These documents set out an economic overview of the area, agreed priorities between MSAs and government, and an investment pipeline. The majority of England’s current MSAs have now published final or draft versions of their plans, with more to follow over the coming months. • LGPs vary significantly, but there are several common features linking those that have been published so far. As might be expected, analysis reveals close alignment between the eight growth sectors identified by government in its Modern Industrial Strategy (known as the IS8) and those emphasised in LGPs. For example, Advanced Manufacturing features as a key sector in 11 of the 12 LGPs analysed for this research. There is also evidence of narrative alignment in the LGPs on nationally led policy priorities in areas such as national security, productivity and energy. • However, some MSAs are using the LGP development process to assert regional autonomy. This is particularly evident in the LGPs produced by larger, established devolved institutions such as West Midlands Combined Authority and the Greater London Authority. • LGPs highlight the dual nature of English regional devolution: while presented as locally shaped strategies, they largely function as instruments for delivering nationally defined industrial priorities, limiting their ability to fully reflect local strengths. • Although mayoral authorities are maturing and the integrated, multi-year settlements available to established MSAs allow greater flexibility in local prioritisation, England’s centralised fiscal system keeps local economic strategy closely aligned with national policy. This may limit the potential of LGPs to shape regional economic development policies distinct from a national-level agenda, which may inhibit realisation of shared priorities.

Item Type:	Report
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	12 May 2026 13:41
Last Modified:	12 May 2026 13:46
DOI:	10.17638/03194540
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3194540
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