Issue Resetting the second relocation's goal from capital-region dispersion to non-capital growth hubs

Summary

Because the first wave's dispersion effect proved structurally limited, the report calls for a deeper debate on what the second wave should aim for. Keeping capital-region dispersion as the core goal would require a settlement package of education, health care and housing at least equal to the capital region to be in place before any move. The alternative is to focus directly on securing growth hubs and sustainable living zones inside the non-capital regions, which the report regards as more feasible and effective given current demographic change. It explains that capital concentration stems less from isolated job or amenity gaps than from the structural concentration of opportunities for good jobs, education and quality of life. The report therefore suggests gradually shifting the centre of gravity toward nurturing non-capital growth hubs and their links with surrounding areas, in step with the government's five-pole, three-special spatial strategy.