The use and misuse of regional data : perspectives, challenges and policy implications from across the UK

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Black, James and Connolly, Kevin and Davidson, Sharada Nia and Spowage, Mairi (2025) The use and misuse of regional data : perspectives, challenges and policy implications from across the UK. Regional Studies. ISSN 0034-3404 (https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2025.2464102)

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Abstract

This paper investigates the challenges faced when producing regional statistics for policy analysis and using regional data in policy debates. We consider the UK, where devolution, Brexit and ‘levelling up’ have placed a spotlight on regional data. However, the issues explored are of international relevance. Drawing on perspectives from analysts in UK government departments and the devolved administrations, we analyse: the difficulties constructing regional statistics; the trade-offs between granularity, timeliness, comparability and different user needs; and how regional data can support policymaking. Levelling up, we argue, has spurred regional data improvements, but the resulting emphasis on directly comparable UK-wide data also poses risks.

ORCID iDs

Black, James ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7796-0910, Connolly, Kevin ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2333-2211, Davidson, Sharada Nia ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6964-3627 and Spowage, Mairi;
  • Item type:Article
    ID code:92069
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    17 March 2025
    Published
    17 March 2025
    Published Online
    2 February 2025
    Accepted
    Subjects:Social Sciences > Economic Theory
    Department:Strathclyde Business School > Economics
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:17 Feb 2025 12:37
    Last modified:21 Mar 2025 11:28
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/92069
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