Report on effectiveness of regional development agencies says it was not clear if government bodies had prioritised right schemes

One sixth of all development projects supported by England's regional development agencies are slowed or on hold, according to a report by the government's spending auditor.

The report, on the effectiveness of the regional development agencies, found that it was not clear that the government bodies had prioritised investing in the right schemes to maximise returns on public money. The RDAs have spent 拢5bn on physical regeneration projects since their inception in 1999.

The National Audit Office found many developers had in the downturn sought to reduce the quality of regeneration schemes, or racked up density, as well as asking for further government funding.

Amyas Morse, head of the National Audit Office, said: 鈥淭he regional development agencies' efforts to encourage economic growth through a programme of physical regeneration have delivered real benefits. It is questionable, however, whether they could not have achieved even greater benefits from the 拢5bn they have committed. It is important that the RDAs establish better appraisal and evaluation methods to identify the projects which are most beneficial and then target their funding accordingly.鈥�

A statement from Edward Leigh MP, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, said: 鈥淭he RDAs have paid some 拢60,000 so far for each additional job created. By overstating their impact, the RDAs could seriously undermine confidence in the positive work they do.鈥�

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