In 2023 and through into 2024 there is consistent demand for commercial growth and economic development skills to underpin financial, trade and industry success and more significantly to prop up local government community and financial sustainability. In 2023 place-based roles accounted for 31% of demand in all jobs advertised in The MJ – higher than social care requirements. In 2024 it stands at 21% of demand.

There is also a continuing Whitehall trend for a systematic demand for local government to competitively bid and then subsequently deliver sustainable and community led economic development. To support this emerging Combined Authority, Mayoral models and larger council co-operation arguably bring scale and significance to regional strategic decision making.