Economic growth
Anchors away
David Godfrey explains the symbiotic link between prosperous communities and productive places, and why Localis’ new report stresses the need to deepen the relationship between business and place.
'Productivity deals' with big business needed to jump-start local economies
Councils should strike ‘productivity deals’ with the biggest businesses in their region to ensure residents benefit from private sector growth, a new report urged today.
Working together for Islington’s future
Asima Shaikh outlines the ground-breaking steps Islington LBC has been taking to reduce poverty and improve employment options for the area’s residents.
Shoring up the seaside economy
Seaside towns offer more than just nostalgia, but if we don’t act soon, communities may be forever disadvantaged. Lord Bassam explains why the Lords’ Seaside Regeneration Select Committee went on tour and what it found.
Investors upbeat over UK’s cities and regions
Michael Burton tests the mood of international investors’ attitudes to the UK’s cities and regions at this year’s giant MIPIM event.
Boosting Blackpool: the main attractions
After the Lords select committee on seaside towns published its report on regeneration, Blackpool Council's Antony Lockley explains what his council is doing to boost the town for residents and tourists
Speak up! Making the case for devolved infrastructure funding
This week's launch of the National Infrastructure Commission's Next Steps for Cities programme rolls out knowledge-sharing to councils in the 45 biggest cities. Sir John Armitt urges them to clearly make the case for investment in infrastructure.
Medway’s mega renaissance
Chief executive of Medway Council Neil Davies wants to brand the whole of Medway as a single high-profile waterfront university city. Dan Peters reports
Reading is ‘ahead of the game’ on BIDS
Reading’s second Business Improvement District is believed to be the first one in a town uniquely aimed at a business area.
Investing in people always pays off
As this week's report on the Troubled Families Programme shows, investing in people always pays off and failing to do so just impacts on the public purse further along the line, says Heather Jameson
Tees Valley prepares for take off
Mayor of the Tees Valley Combined Authority Ben Houchen says bringing the local airport back into public ownership means the conurbation is ready to compete – not just with other UK city regions, but globally
Will Brexit be bad – or worse?
Were the UK to rely on World Trade Organisation rules as a basis for trade, economic growth would be 7.7% less than it would otherwise have been. Keith Burge evaluates the inevitable impact this would have on councils.
The Stronger Towns Fund is not the right solution to a complex problem
The Stronger Towns Fund is not the response we need to a complex and nuanced problem, says chair of Core Cities Cllr Judith Blake.
MIPIM: The frontrunner’s team checklist
Those that can help tell the story, sell the story, capture hearts and minds, and importantly, deliver on promises will be key to MIPIM success beyond the four-day showstopper, says Marek Dobrowolski.
We are making the case to Honda to keep investment in Swindon
Council leader David Renard is part of a taskforce set up after Honda's announcement that it plans to shut the local plant. He says the key priority must be to make the case that investment in vehicles of the future is best done in Swindon.
Local authority business provision ‘lacks transparency’ - MSPs
Scottish MSPs have criticised a local authority scheme that aims to help businesses grow for lacking ‘transparency, accountability and alignment’.
Many Tower Hamlets' businesses not well enough prepared for 'no deal'
There has been insufficient planning for a ‘no deal’ scenario among many businesses in Tower Hamlets, a new report has revealed.
A 'one bid per council' approach to high streets cash holds back collaboration
Allen Graham understands that bids for the Government's planned £675m future high streets fund will be restricted to one per authority - with no mechanism for districts to collaborate by linking bids.
Further devolution could unlock Manchester's potential
More devolution of powers is essential to realise Greater Manchester’s economic potential, a group of experts has said.
Truss backs fiscal devolution
Chief secretary to the Treasury, Liz Truss, has given her backing to further fiscal devolution.