Connecting Economies

The Connecting Economies documents provide an accessible compendium of both evidence and asks to government, which England’s Economic Heartland, its local and combined authority partners, MPs, private sector and others can use to make the case for improved connectivity and infrastructure investment in our region.

Each contains expert insight from Cambridge Econometrics on the economic potential of seven corridors within the region, followed by a selection of transport interventions which our evidence base suggests would unlock economic growth along them (the seventh brochure, Luton-Bedford-Corby, is due to published in late 2024).

Cambridge Econometrics’ analysis considers the prime sector strengths of each corridor, alongside how improved connectivity would benefit productivity, cluster agglomeration, innovation, access to commercial space and housing, and freight and logistics.

Alongside analysis of each corridor, Cambridge Econometrics also highlights the incredible economic potential of the EEH region as a whole, stretching from Swindon and Oxfordshire in the west through to Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire in the east.

It found that of the seven sub-national transport body areas which cover the entirety of England outside of London, the EEH region is ranked first for:

• Economic growth
• Jobs growth
• Population growth
• Exporting intensity
• Foreign investment
• Concentration of R&D jobs
• Patent filings

The region also accounts for 25% of all life science jobs in England, while other knowledge-intensive sectors such as advanced physics and engineering and digital and creative also feature prominently. There are 183 established ‘innovation clusters’ (as defined by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) located throughout the EEH region, hosting 15,900-plus knowledge‑intensive firms and receiving £855m of public research funding. Thirty-three of these clusters, including those associated with med-tech, robotics, data, artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, quantum physics and food-tech, are ranked within the 10 biggest in the UK for their specialism – these clusters are located in Oxfordshire, Milton Keynes, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

However, the analysis found that the region is now 3% less productive (per job) than the rest of England, whereas 20 years ago it was more productive. Emissions from transport are also higher than average and the brochures highlight the widespread issues with congestion and limited public transport services which are acting as barriers to future sustainable growth. The brochures also reveal how many areas of the region are experiencing pressures relating to access to commercial floorspace, affordable housing and deprivation.

Improving connectivity is a key part in enabling the region to overcome these challenges. EEH is working with Government and local partners to ensure the region’s highest priority schemes featured in the brochures are supported, progressed and delivered at the earliest opportunity.