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Multipliers from a Major Public Sector Relocation: The BBC Moves to Salford

Author

Listed:
  • Nathan, Max

    (University College London)

  • Overman, Henry

    (London School of Economics)

  • Riom, Capucine

    (London School of Economics)

  • Sanchez-Vidal, Maria

    (Barcelona Institute of Economics)

Abstract

This paper considers the impact of a major public sector relocation: the British Broadcasting Corporation's partial move from London to Salford, Greater Manchester starting in 2011. We identify effects of the move using synthetic control methods applied to plant-level data at Local Authority and Travel to Work Area level. Each BBC job creates on average 0.33 additional jobs in the creative industries, rising to 0.55 additional jobs by 2017, and the relocation had an impact on sectoral and firm composition. We find no significant effect on total employment but a small positive effect on Local Authority average wages.

Suggested Citation

  • Nathan, Max & Overman, Henry & Riom, Capucine & Sanchez-Vidal, Maria, 2024. "Multipliers from a Major Public Sector Relocation: The BBC Moves to Salford," IZA Discussion Papers 17337, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17337
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    cities; public employment; local multipliers; relocation; creative industries; policy evaluation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H70 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - General
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)

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