Centre for Cities
Devolution needs to be more ‘Kevin Keegan’
If the UK wants to emerge from its ‘odd decade’ into a better place, it must use devolution to boost the economic potential of its regions, says Henry Kippin.
Call for evidence boosted in local economic policy
Centre for Cities has called for more evidence to be at the heart of local economic policy making.
Why mayors matter
Polling shows the public wants more local control over policy decisions, and directly-elected mayors give them the chance to put place over politics, says Paul Swinney.
The new mayors will need the support of Westminster to be successful
'We need to give more attention to the powers and resources mayors have, and those they need – notably more control over fiscal matters – to do the job the country needs them to do', says Andrew Carter.
A hike too far?
The Government has allowed some authorities to hike council tax while refusing Somerset Council’s bid to take the same step. Meanwhile, the system remains ‘highly regressive’. Ann McGauran reports.
All parts of the country have been levelled down
For the next Government there will be serious choices and decisions to make in order to deliver the economic growth all parts of the country need, says Andrew Carter.
Levelling up must continue, urges think-tank
Efforts to level up the country and devolve more powers to local government should continue following the General Election, a think-tank has urged.
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'.
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
One size doesn’t fit all
Megan Streb shows how evidence can be used to better tailor local growth policy, while emphasising the importance of focusing on the right things and being realistic about impacts.
UK growth 'held back by Brexit and central control'
The UK is hindering economic growth by getting things wrong – including Brexit – an international urban policy expert has told The MJ.
The begging bowl approach has run its course
Competition for funding for local projects is no substitute for a clear strategy that makes choices about where money is to be spent to achieve an objective, says Andrew Carter.
UK has 'hidden army' of three million economically inactive
UK unemployment soars from 3.7% to 12.1% when a ‘hidden army’ of three million economically inactive people are included, according to Cities Outlook 2023.
Invest in cities now to reap long term rewards
Given further support, Birmingham, Glasgow, and Manchester could do even more and provide benefits for the nation as well their regions, says Andrew Carter.
Concerns over future housing supply
Experts have shared doubts over the Government’s approach to planning reform.
Carter: Reorganisation will boost fiscal devolution case
Fiscal devolution must be accompanied by reorganisation and growth incentives if councils are to become more than care providers, a sector expert has warned.
Going for growth is good but will not be enough on its own
Going for growth is, of course, the right plan to pursue, says Andrew Carter. 'But its success will still rely on improving the performance of our cities and towns, which won’t be achieved by cutting taxes and red tape alone.'
Council urged to tackle deep-rooted inequalities
Reading Council has been urged to tackle deep-rooted inequalities within its community by a Local Government Association (LGA) peer review.
MPs question levelling up progress and achievability
MPs have expressed concern about the ‘slow’ progress and achievability of the Government’s levelling up missions.
New PM must turn levelling up commitments into action
Next month’s successful candidate should use their first speech as Prime Minister to recommit to levelling up as the key domestic policy of their premiership, with a pledge to kick-start progress immediately, says Andrew Carter.
