Economic growth
Without a place-focused economic response, pre-coronavirus inequalities will become even more entrenched
In places that were often struggling prior to COVID-19 such as Barnsley or Stoke just 20% of people could work from home, writes Andrew Carter; the virus will have a bigger and longer-term impact in areas where the economy has now ground to a halt.
Levelling up the rail network
Despite the coronavirus crisis, planning for the long-term economy of the country must carry on. Sir John Armitt, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, explains why they are launching their consultation on the future of rail infrastructure
NIC launches future of rail consultation
The National Infrastructure Commission has launched a consultation on the future rail landscape of the North and the Midlands as part of the Government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda.
Race to implement economic support package
Council finance officials and civil servants have raced to work out how to implement the Government’s enhanced package of economic support for coronavirus-affected businesses.
Buoyant tax income ahead of coronavirus crisis
The last set of public finance figures before the Government’s £350bn injection to combat coronavirus’ economic impact shows a buoyant month for tax income.
Social infrastructure needs funding too
Stephen Evans argues that for devolution to have the biggest impact, it must be about all regions – but he says the importance of cities is not determined solely by economic impact.
Government should grasp the council tax nettle
Council tax needs to be revalued and should be reformed – and this government has both the ‘levelling-up’ mandate and narrative, says David Phillips.
Call for growth deal to cover funding gap
A £3bn growth deal is needed to avoid a gap in the delivery of capital projects while the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is introduced, the organisation representing local enterprise partnerships (LEP) has said.
Budget 2020: If this is a national crisis it's one many of us felt was already underway
Local agendas should prevail, according to chair of SIGOMA Sir Stephen Houghton – but he says the headline capital aspirations in the Budget seem to harbour real ambition beyond already thriving areas.
The future of British Steel looks ‘very positive’
Securing the former Redcar steelworks site from SSI marks the start of a new era for Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool, says Ben Houchen - and the Chancellor’s £22.5m commitment for the Materials Processing Institute was a critical step forward.
A Budget for growth – so where is the catch?
Chancellor Rishi Sunak's Budget may not have delivered much for council revenues – for adult or children’s social care – but it is squarely aimed at boosting productivity and growth, writes Heather Jameson.
Leaving nothing to chance
The ‘levelling-up’ Budget is era-defining and ambitious in scope – but we will have to wait until the summer Spending Review to understand the blueprint, says Localis’s Jonathan Werran.
Nottingham undaunted by Intu plight
The council has vowed not to let its partner’s financial troubles derail a multi-million pound regeneration project.
Hertfordshire leads the way in managing growth
All 12 members of the Hertfordshire Growth Board have now approved an official working agreement that will help make the county an even better place, says David Williams.
Budget must provide clarity on infrastructure priorities
This month’s Budget must focus on providing more detail on how the Government’s approach will support the levelling up required for the country to prosper in a carbon-conscious, post-Brexit world, says Will McWilliams.
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.
Avoiding the dangers of a ‘one-size-fits all’ approach
Two key recommendations highlighted in a new report on the need for 'levelling-up' to include counties are for Growth Boards - and for the devo White Paper to consider devolving budgets and powers to county areas, says Paul Dossett.
Ministers need to define what they mean by ‘levelling up’
What precisely do ministers mean when they use the phrase 'levelling' up, asks Michael Burton. 'Wealthy areas also contain poor neighbourhoods and vice versa.'
The 'levelling up' agenda cannot overlook shire counties, says report
A new report today warned Government that counties are lagging behind other parts of the country.
Important choices lie ahead
Mike Emmerich says the building of a more spatially balanced and inclusive form of growth is a task that has not been fully embraced by Westminster and Whitehall – ‘and that has got to, and looks set to, change’.