news and views
We provide insights based on our experience and current work and discuss what changes in policy mean for our localities, regions and cities
What does the White Paper on English Local Devolution have to say about managing change or delivering inclusive, sustainable economic development?
๐ก๐ผ๐ ๐บ๐๐ฐ๐ต! despite the ramifications of changes to funding; fewer, large local councils and more strategic authorities such as Combined Authorities - this is all about institutions, principles, possibilities... meanwhile the economic challenges remain the same, and new...
A competency framework for local economic development: using evidence and intelligence
Do you ever feel like you're constantly playing catch-up in the fast-paced world of local and regional economic development? You're not alone. The sheer volume of information and the pressure to deliver results in a political environment can leave even the most...
๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐ถ๐น๐น ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ง๐ฟ๐๐บ๐ฝ ๐ง๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ณ๐ณ๐ ๐ฎ๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ ๐น๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ด๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ผ๐บ๐ถ๐ฐ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ผ๐ฝ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐จ๐?
The US President has imposed additional 25% tariffs on all exports from Mexico and Canada (10% on energy) and 10% on China. In the press this morning it was said that increased tariff rates on the EU were going to happen, but no clarity about the UK.Such interventions...
Falling birth rates raise prospect of sharp decline in living standards
๐ก The FT dropped a truth bomb last week: The ageing population across OECD countries is a game changer for economic and skills strategies. ๐ To keep our living standards afloat, we'll need to push labor productivity through the roof to heights never seen before.But...
We need a new funding framework for local and regional economic growth and development
A funding system to support economic growth in the nations and regions On the day before the UK Prime Minister convenes the first Council of Nations and Regions of the new UK government, this article discusses arguably the biggest factor holding back progress: the...
What have I learnt over the past 30 years? Reflections from a career in economic development
Summer is always a time of reflection for me. The day job quietens down enough for some of the learning and experience over the past year to sink in and gives me time to put it into perspective. Iโm looking forward to deploying my skills, experience and networks โ and...
What does the 2024 Kingโs Speech mean for local, regional and city economies in the UK?
The Kingโs Speech is a key part of the State Opening of Parliament ceremony. It is formally called the Speech from the Throne and is delivered by the monarch, though written by the government. The speech provides the government with an opportunity to outline its...
New UK government: actions you can take now for local growth
Get your investment-ready local growth projects ready The Labour Party is going for growth. They say they want to do this by levering in private investment. The clock is ticking Itโs time to prime your growth projects for government money. Why the urgency? Quite...
New UK Government! what next for local economic development?
After the General Election on July 04, the UK Labour Party won a significant majority and have formed the new government. What can we expect to see over the next few weeks? I've outlined the main implications of the Labour Party Manifesto for local economic...
Initial thoughts: Labour Party Election Manifesto
The UK Labour Party Manifesto was published this morning (13 June). Here's a quick summary, and some thoughts below. 5 missions (which have already been trailed in the past month: 1) Economic Growth 2) Clean energy superpower 3) Crime 4) Break down barriers to...
In Devo We Trust? Local and regional devolution on its own will not guarantee success
When I listen to people discussing the issue of local and regional devolution, I'm now thinking that - ok it might help localities and regions exert more influence and control over what they do and how the deliver it. But I have several concerns: Local government has...
What capacities and capabilities are needed to deliver local and regional economic development?
Hi folks - looking for some help. I'm working on a project where I'm trying to analyse the funding and resourcing environment for economic development and regeneration in the UK, against what I think are the essential elements of a government and administrative...