City, Devolution and Growth Deal Gateway Reviews
Client: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)
SQW led the National Evaluation Panel which evaluated the progress and impact of long-term devolved Investment Funds in ten local areas[1] across the UK over 2016-2020. The Investment Funds (sometimes known locally as ‘gainshare’ or ‘earn back’) allow local areas a high degree of flexibility to invest in local economic growth priorities, including supporting land and property schemes, new and improved transport infrastructure, and business and skills development.
In 2022, an SQW led consortium was commissioned by MHCLG (then DLUHC) to support the second Gateway Reviews for the same ten local areas, and first Gateway Reviews for a further three areas.[2] We supported all of these areas to design their Local Evaluation Frameworks, and provided ongoing guidance on the implementation of each Framework. The Investment Funds were agreed in different years, and so reporting timetables vary across the Funds. By summer 2024, we had developed Mid Term Reports for the majority of Funds.
In late 2024, we worked closely with local areas to write and submit Final Reports for the second Gateway Reviews of four Funds, and the first Gateway Reviews of two Funds.[3] These reports considered: progress in intervention delivery; the (emerging) impacts of interventions on local economic growth; and the wider effects of the Funds on local capacity development and partnership working. The reports and evaluation evidence will be used by MHCLG and wider Government analysts to inform the Gateway Review process.
If you would like to know more about the evaluation of devolved Investment Funds, or our wider work in evaluation and local economic development, please contact Graham Thom.
[1] Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Cardiff Capital Region, Glasgow City Region, Greater Cambridge, Greater Manchester, Leeds City Region, Liverpool City Region, Tees Valley, West Midlands and West of England
[2] North of Tyne/North East, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire
[3] Second Gateway Reviews for Funds Glasgow City Region, Greater Cambridge, Greater Manchester and Leeds City Region, and first Gateway Review for Funds in South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire
