Economic growth
Ministry in rebrand to put levelling up centre stage
New secretary of state Michael Gove will preside over a beefed up new department with a firm focus on levelling up, it has been revealed.
The art of preventing a brain drain
Paul Shevlin suggests arts and culture have a part to play in attracting young residents to come to rural areas
Put education at the heart of levelling up, say CPP and NRG
Education should be at the heart of the levelling up agenda, according to the influential Northern Research Group (NRG) and think tank the Centre for Progressive Policy (CPP).
Levelling up too focused on infrastructure, claims report
Ministers’ ‘levelling up’ agenda is too focused on new infrastructure projects at the expense of improving key public services, councils representing English towns and cities have warned.
Why we’re being levelled down
Levelling up should be about quality sustainable public services supporting those most in need, according to Sir Stephen Houghton. But, he points out, the deficit faced by SIGOMA member councils is more than £350m in this financial year.
A discussion not to be missed
Cratus has announced the third Chamberlain lecture, delivered by Bristol Mayor, Marvin Rees, in celebration of local government.
Tourist hotspots see biggest boost from 'freedom day'
Northern towns and tourist hotspots have seen the biggest rise in footfall since ‘freedom day’, while London is lagging behind, data has revealed.
Councils urged to prepare digital skills pipeline
Councils should prepare for a surge in the digital skills sector, according to new research by the Local Government Association (LGA).
Levelling up should focus on wellbeing, says report
The levelling up agenda should focus on improving economic and social wellbeing rather than infrastructure according to new research from the UK Prosperity Index 2021.
Cheltenham chooses developer for landmark cyber park
Cheltenham BC has chosen its preferred development partner for the £1bn first phase of The Golden Valley Development, part of the council’s Cyber Central project.
Advantage Stroud
As the country - and the tennis - restarts after CIVID, Stroud DC chief executive Kathy O'Leary says every council should play up to its strengths when it comes to rebuilding the economy
Two decades of economic interventions have failed to help poorest communities, report warns
The last 20 years of local economic interventions have consistently failed to address the inequalities across the UK’s most deprived communities, a new report has warned today.
Staying local but going global for investment
Just because we are no longer in the EU does not mean European investors have lost interest in the UK, says Michael Burton - and there is a strong argument to saying the UK's regions should be scaling up their lobbying presence there, and elsewhere.
Regional mayors should make their voices heard
Heather Jameson says the Government has created strong regional mayors to represent their own places and they should 'now let them roar'.
More than £600m awarded to 26 new Town Deals
The Government has announced the latest round of towns deals, which will see 26 towns across England share over £600m.
Early payment systems provide expanded social value
Early payments will be an essential building block as we exit lockdown, and local government has been leading the way, says Ben Jackson.
Welsh Government 'ditched as partner'
The Welsh Government has been ‘ditched as a partner’ in the rollout of two new funds, a former secretary of state for Wales has said.
A fresh challenge
The new president of ADEPT Paula Hewitt outlines her hopes and plans as the sector slowly recovers from the COVID pandemic – and says ‘real’ collaboration is vital to a successful future for places and communities.
A new vision for Nuneaton
Mark Ryder and Dawn Dawson explain how a joined-up approach between authorities will transform Nuneaton town centre, bringing essential redevelopment and address regeneration in one of the most deprived areas in Warwickshire.
Battling the new apocalypse
Local government is besieged by the pandemic, digitalistion, the economy and the impending fiscal crisis; issues leaders will need to continue to find answers for. The Leadership Centre’s Joe Simpson talks to Heather Jameson.
