Earlier this month, we said that the scrap versus keep debate on RDAs was too simplistic. We challenged elements of the PwC evaluation of regional development agencies, and shifted attention onto the actual programmes that RDAs run.
This week, we published our second comment piece on RDAs - this one highlights the positions of each of the three main parties. In each case, we need more clarity before the parties issue their Manifestos.
For example:
- Labour is deeply wedded to RDAs and remains the only party committed to their continued existence - especially with Peter Mandelson at the helm of their sponsor department, BIS. But overall, Labour's approach to RDAs has been overly technical and has further complicated the regional tier. There are now too many regional bodies, and central government still calls the shots.
- The Conservatives' position has been inconsistent. The official party line is that RDAs will lose their planning powers, and - if local authorities within a region say so - each RDA will transition into a number of Local Enterprise Partnerships. But it's not exactly clear how this would happen. And Shadow Ministers have confused the situation by saying different things - with CLG spokespeople pushing harder to get rid of RDAs.
- Liberal Democrats are also unclear, and low on detail. Officially, they are committed to reforming RDAs - but Vince Cable has gone further, by suggesting that RDAs - and all their programmes - should be abolished completely. It's not clear whether he really means this, or what his CLG counterpart Julia Goldsworthy thinks.
This confusing situation is far from satisfactory. As I hinted a few weeks ago, we expect the Tories to issue a clarifying statement on this early in the New Year. With the General Election now imminent, all three parties need to clarify their position - and decide exactly what they would do with RDAs' programme funding.
Meanwhile, business groups are starting to speak up for RDAs - we're noticing a concerted pro-RDA campaign by national and regional business organisations. It remains to be seen whether this will have any impact on the Tories' position.