[Youngian]

However poor an area is in terms of private sector jobs, central government can at least make sure it's got a nice hospital and roads.

This approach benefits everyone, unlike subsidies for car plant buyouts that end up in director-shareholder pensions.
Defence is the strongest sector where ministers can push a button and plants open at locations of their choosing. And public sector regeneration in metropolitan city centres since the 80s have been mainly successful.