Why do places matter for productivity? If productivity is local, why is policy still so centralised in the UK?

Productivity varies widely across regions, shaping economic opportunity and growth. Drawing on international evidence and Philip McCann’s extensive research on regional development, the discussion considers how cities and regions can strengthen their economic performance and contribute to national productivity growth. 

Host Professor Bart van Ark is joined by:

• Philip McCann, Sir Terry Leahy Chair in Urban and Regional Economics, Alliance Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester

For more information on the topic:

• Philip McCann (2026) Regional Access to Capital and Investment Finance: Summary of results from TPI Research Programme. Productivity Insights Paper No. 086, The Productivity Institute.
• Raquel Ortega-Argilés, Philip McCann (2026) Knowledge Diffusion and Regional Productivity Growth: Summary of TPI Research Programme 2023-2026. Productivity Insights Paper No. 087, The Productivity Institute.
• Raquel Ortega-Argilés, Pei-Yu Yuan (2024) Do UK Research and Collaborations in R&I Promote Economic Prosperity and Levelling-up? An analysis of UKRI funding between 2004-2021, Working Paper No. 046, The Productivity Institute.
• Productivity Puzzles podcast, Turnaround Cities: Lessons learned for the UK.
• Productivity Puzzles podcast, Industrial policy, institutions and fiscal mechanisms.
• Productivity Puzzles podcast, Levelling up and the Northern Powerhouse.
• Unlocking Wales' Productivity Potential podcast, Understanding Productivity in Wales.

About Productivity Puzzles:

Productivity Puzzles is brought to you by The Productivity Institute, a research body involving nine academic institutions across the UK, nine Productivity Forums throughout the nation, and a national independent Productivity Commission to advise policy makers at all levels of government. It is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.