Policy domain

Economic growth

Growth programmes, investment zones and employment initiatives — stress-tested after bedding-in. Jobs, pay and business formation are treated as indicators read through the equity lens, not as stand-alone success metrics.

Typical interventions

Investment zones, city deals, sector strategies, high-street renewal, innovation districts.

Official data

ONS / HMRC pay and employment, BRES, DWP benefits, regional GVA where available, local business rates.

Bedding-in horizon

Often 24–48 months for employment and income; longer for productivity and GVA claims.

Health proof questions

Did economic inactivity or work-related stress indicators shift in target places?
Are healthcare demand patterns consistent with changed employment structures?
Did insecure or precarious work rise where growth was claimed?

Equity proof questions

Which neighbourhoods gained jobs and pay — and which saw displacement of activity?
Did growth concentrate in city centres while outer areas stagnated?
Do community accounts of job quality match headline employment statistics?