Assisted areas in the United Kingdom are those areas selected for the application of regional policy to support employment. They date back to depressed special areas identified before WWII for specific assistance. Over time the support systems have changed, as have the designated areas. While the UK was a member of the European Union, the coverage and schemes were regulated as part of the EU's regional policy.
During Brexit negotiation much new grant support was suspended. From 2021 a new UK Levelling-up policy of the British government was developed.
2007-2013 map
The assisted areas of Great Britain are based upon a map drawn up and agreed with the European Commission in October 2006. The map was approved by the European Commission in December 2006 and will run from 2007 until 2013.
Under new EU guidelines, the proportion of the UK population covered by Assisted Areas has been reduced from 30.9% in the period from 2000 to 2006, to 23.9%. This reduction is a result of recent EU enlargement and the success of the UK economy leading to 2016.