To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assumptions of average economic growth per annum to 2026 were made in the preparation of the draft Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West. (231259)

The Draft Regional Spatial Strategy submitted in April 2006 was based on the assumption that there is a need to plan for economic growth in Gross Value Added of 2.8 per cent.

Proposed changes to the Regional Spatial Strategy published in July 2008 delete this reference and refer to the need to plan for anticipated economic change, supporting growth in line with the Regional Economic Strategy (RES). The RES states the region should be prepared for economic growth at a rate of 3.2 per cent.