Economic growth
Autumn Statement: what lies behind the promises?
Despite a few helpful announcements from the chancellor in relation to cost of living and hospitality the reality is the overall outlook for Westminster residents remains difficult, says Cllr Adam Hug.
West Yorkshire to host £220m investment zone
A new investment zone has been announced for West Yorkshire focused on life sciences.
Land value tax could redistribute billions
A plan to reform business rates could lead to billions of pounds being redistributed from high land value areas to other parts of the country.
Councils are benched in the King’s Speech
It is disappointing to see nothing to resolve the woes of the sector in the King's Speech, says Heather Jameson – 'or to indicate councils may just provide some of the solutions for national issues'.
King's Speech light on local government solutions
The Government has vowed to increase economic growth – but warned the Treasury would prioritise cutting inflation over investments and borrowing – in its Parliamentary programme.
Autumn Statement: why we need real reform
As the Autumn Statement draws closer, Simon Christian says only complete fiscal reform will unlock the revenue funding needed for core public services, but the debate cannot stop at financial changes alone.
How about an updated version of Total Place
Abdool Kara says Total Place 'remains to many an idea that has the potential to square the circle of improved outcomes at less cost at a time where there are few other solutions presenting themselves'.
Local leadership: the trans-Atlantic lessons
Dominic Campbell offers insights ahead of the trans-Atlantic Transformations panel at the Solace Summit, looking at how the UK and the US have addressed the challenges of the last decade.
Realising the UK’s economic potential
Solace is calling for a strengthened local government role in relation to improving the country’s economic prospects. Amy Harhoff explains.
LGA: Devolve to boost economic activity
Ministers should devolve long-term and simplified funding for back to work schemes to overcome record economic inactivity, the Local Government Association (LGA) has urged.
Uncertainty hangs over funding for growth projects
Councils have voiced fresh concerns as they remain in the dark over future funding for responsibilities inherited from Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs).
Giving power away: Labour needs to turn rhetoric into reality
Labour needs to articulate a more concrete vision for how they would go further and faster on devolution – particularly on how local government will feed into the wider mission framework for government, says Ross Mudie.
What we can learn from international ‘turnaround cities’
Kerry Ferguson looks at seven ‘turnaround’ cities and asks what would it take for the UK to reach its economic potential and what local policy-makers can do to help make it happen.
Partnership and perseverance pay
Lewisham Gateway is a fresh model for how councils and place-makers can deliver transformational neighbourhoods, in partnership with the communities that will benefit most, says Mike Auger
LGPS: Pooling should start from the bottom up
The future of the Local Government Pension Scheme depends not just on investment efficiencies but on getting the relationship between employers and their funds right, says Steve Simkins.
Two answers to levelling up – but what’s the question?
Heather Jameson says set aside the anti-city, anti-local government rhetoric - Rishi Sunak's plan to put cash into small towns will make a difference to how people feel about their place.
Cities must be seen as an asset to be creatively invested in
At the heart of the UK Urban Futures Commission report is a belief in the power and potential of cities and the people who live in them, says Marvin Rees.
Shaping the future at the Summit
Matt Prosser says while there has never been a more challenging time to work in local government, next month’s Solace Summit in Birmingham provides an ideal chance to come together and collaborate.
Gove to ease nutrient neutrality requirements
Ministers have announced they will ease divisive development rules on water pollution blamed for low housebuilding rates in rural areas.
What is the economic offer for voters?
The party conferences should offer some insight into policy, says Andrew Carter, but what will they reveal about tackling economic underperformance in our cities
