FWRECR17135BEIS - Drivers of Firm Relocation

To explore the drivers for company relocation to and within the UK, updating and extending the existing evidence base to inform the delivery of the industrial strategy.

An understanding of the current hard and soft factors influencing relocation is required to drive growth across the country. Up to date evidence is needed to inform any policy making that would influence incentives around firm relocation decisions, as well as informing policymakers on which barriers faced by firms wishing to expand are the most significant.

Additionally, a better understanding on the drivers of firm relocation will inform the work on retaining companies within the country as the UK leaves the European Union and attracting new foreign direct investment. There is clear overlap between this and the factors influencing where businesses wishing to start and grow choose to locate.

Objectives

Policy development requires good and up to date supporting evidence. Out of date evidence makes it difficult to confidently assess the potential effectiveness of policy options to influence the location of firms across the country, whether relocating from within the UK or from overseas. Timely evidence on the specific reasons why companies may choose to relocate part or all of their operations outside of the UK is also required.

Research is therefore needed to update the existing evidence base, informing policy making to deliver the UK's industrial strategy and the Local Industrial strategies

Research Questions