Core Cities
Frustration bubbles over wait for Brexit bonanza
The Government runs the risk of ‘levelling up everywhere at rock bottom’ as uncertainty continues to reign over funding for the regions months after Brexit.
CBI backs 'turbo charged' devolution
The business community will now back ‘turbo charged’ devolution, the director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) told a Core Cities seminar last week.
We need to invest properly in the local state
We should see any COVID-19 relief monies as an investment in our nation’s future, says Core Cities UK portfolio holder for finance Cllr David Mellen. If we invest in public services now, we will get our nation up and running, he adds.
Fresh funding row brews
Another row was brewing this week over how much councils have spent on coronavirus and how much the Government will cover.
Our first responsibility is to be a good ancestor
We need to stand shoulder to shoulder with Government and trust that the original commitment to ensuring councils have ‘whatever it takes’ will stand, says Tony Kirkham.
Put localism at the heart of recovery, say city leaders
A centralised ‘command and control approach’ to easing lockdown will not work, city leaders have claimed.
Build back better, says Burnham
Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, has warned the Government not to take the same centralised approach to recovery as it has to the coronavirus crisis.
The Build Back Better campaign aims to shape COVID-19 recovery policy
Three core pillars must underpin the nationwide Build Back Better campaign - and they are critical to achieving a ‘Great Recovery’, says Steve Barwick.
Core Cities call for 'bold' post-crisis vision
The coronavirus business support fund should be extended – potentially taking an equity stake in business which they could later buy back – in a bid to boost the economy, city leaders have said.
Getting through the greatest challenge of a generation
Dealing with COVID-19 is ‘an incredibly tough challenge’ for council leadership, says Joanne Roney – and the resilience needed nationally can only come from empowered and sustainably funded local authorities.
Slicker cities
Cllr Huw Thomas examines the findings of a new report looking at enhancing the potential and overall productivity of the UK’s core cities.
Reports highlight core cities' low productivity and increasing regional inequalities
Productivity in the UK’s core cites is low by national and international standards and regional inequalities are continuing to increase, two new reports have revealed.
OECD report on Core Cities is key to 'levelling up' the UK
Productivity in the UK’s Core Cities is low by national and international standards and they have the potential for much stronger and more inclusive growth, according to a new report from the OECD.
Ministers urged to embrace ambitious devolution agenda
The UK’s biggest cities have urged ministers to embrace an ambitious devolution agenda and not ‘merely level up’ powers across the country.
OECD will say our over-centralised system holds places back
Core Cities has commissioned the OECD to put together a new and radical report into putting in place the right policies to enable places to fulfil their potential, says Cllr Judith Blake.
Devolution legislation planned for Queen's Speech
The Government is planning to launch the next round of devolution legislation in the Queen’s Speech, The MJ understands.
EXCLUSIVE: Core Cities' £28bn Shared Prosperity Fund warning
The proposed UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) must be worth at least £28bn over seven years if the UK is to deliver its devolved policy objectives, a leading sector body has warned.
Amid Brexit confusion, what about LEPs?
Would it not be better to build strong, accountable devolution across the whole country and hand powers, responsibilities and funding to the combined authorities, asks Heather Jameson.
Deliver HS2 'in full'
Cllr Judith Blake says HS2 must be delivered in full 'and that it is key to rebalancing our nation, relieving the pressure on our Victorian-era rail network and creating economic growth in our cities'.
Unprecedented joint Spending Review bid floated
An unprecedented joint bid could be made to next year’s Spending Review by Core Cities, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and Homes England.
