Report

Business cases and place-based funding

This report from UK think tank City-REDI examines business cases and place-based funding.

This report critically examines the application of the Better Business Case Green Book model by practitioners when seeking to secure past place-based economic development funding. The business case framework is used to appraise and manage the development of an intervention, as set out the with the HM Treasury’s Green Book guidance.

This report systematically reviews and analysis evidence within 134 business cases developed by sub-national institutions submitted to 3 place-based economic development funds. Drawing on HM Treasury’s Green Book guidance, the report evaluates the quality of business case construction and appraisal, particularly in relation to the development of specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-sensitive (SMART) objectives, place-based value-for-money assessments, and systemic biases in funding methodologies.

This report is for the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub, which seeks to address nationwide issues through local partnerships and places.