Local
economic development and productivity is being impeded by over-complex delivery
and red tape, according to a government watchdog.
The
latest report from the Better Regulation Task Force claims the system for local
economic development is so complex that even those involved in delivery do not
understand it.
David
Arculus, chairman of the task force, said the current system was wasteful and
so difficult to understand that employers weren’t being engaged.
"This
complexity is wasteful," he said. "It means training is not delivered
and skills gaps are not being addressed."
The
report sets out a series of recommendations to help align strategy, objectives
and geographic areas between agencies.
It
also recommends that Business Links should become the responsibility of
Regional Development Agencies within a year.
Other
recommendations:
–
The relationship between the Regional Development Agencies and the Local
Learning and Skills Councils should be reviewed
–
Existing areas of complex joined-up delivery should be simplified and
streamlined
–
Other key policy areas of cross-cutting delivery should be addressed as a
rolling programme.
