Connected clusters 2: mapping interregional connections in the UK

Business location decisions play a critical role in shaping regional economies, influencing investment, job creation, and economic resilience. While policy has often focused on fostering competition between regions—either by directing resources in high-growth areas or redistributing funding more widely—less attention has been given to the underlying connections between regional economies. This research examines firm location choices to provide new insights into how businesses operate across different geographies, helping to inform strategies that better support businesses and the places they operate in.