Catalogue description Records of the Economic Planning Division

Not to be confused with the department of Economic Co-ordination, this division was created in 1964 to produce a long-term plan, covering a period of several years, for the economic expansion of Britain. Three years later (1967-1968), and after the National Plan had been published, it was subsumed into the General Planning Group which itself became the Economic Group, prior to the abolition of the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA).

It was set up by the government to formulate a national plan and assess the progress of its implementation. Long-term forecasts, the construction of models of how the economy should develop, and provision of information and advice relating to policy and statistics, including industrial manpower and regional economies, were included in its remit.

The National Plan itself was a five year one, ranging from 1965 to 1970. Its main aspects were to improve communication between government and industry; to expand growth and help firms plan for long-term expansion; to entend consultation through the participation of new committees and boards; to identify which areas the market was failing most significantly and correct them by appropriate policy.

The Economic Planning Boards of 1965-1969 were autonomous bodies, deriving originally from the Regional Policy Department.