Research and analysis

Industrial policies: new evidence for the UK

Analysis of past industrial policies to inform the design of the UK鈥檚 new industrial strategy.

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Details

The industrial strategy is a pillar of the UK government鈥檚 growth mission. This report by the Competition and Markets Authority鈥檚 Microeconomics Unit analyses past industrial policies (policies for shaping the industrial composition of the economy) to inform the design of a modern industrial strategy for the UK.

We set out to understand the:

  • past industrial policies used by the UK and its peers
  • impact of past policies on productivity, investment, innovation, employment and competition
  • economic dynamism and competitive dynamics of the growth-driving sectors, as identified in the UK government鈥檚 industrial strategy green paper

We produced this report to help the UK government as it finishes designing its industrial strategy.

Updates to this page

Published 9 April 2025

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