In previous research we showed that, popular opinion notwithstanding, there is no correlation between firm birth rates and net job creation rates across England’s LEPs. More start-ups does not equate to more jobs. In this project we will investigate in more detail the association between spatial variation in the proportions of different categories of firms and spatial variation in rate of job growth. We are especially interested in the share of high growth firms — a category particularly interesting to policymakers. The dataset to be used will be the ONS Business Structure Database which has already underpinned much of our work on firm dynamics.
