IPPR
It's time to settle the Bill
There is still time to alter the path of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill now going through Parliament, says Zoe Billingham. Ambition must be improved across the legislation, and a key principle is missing, she adds.
Arithmetic matters
The new director of IPPR North, Zoë Billingham, speaks to Ann McGauran about taking on the role at a time of political and economic turmoil, and gives her verdict on how the Government’s flagship levelling up policy is shaping up.
The great rebuild
With local elections just around the corner, Jonathan Carr-West fears we are in a dangerous moment for democratic engagement and the process of rebuilding trust must start locally.
Call to end 'excessively punitive sanctions' on benefits
A think-tank has warned that sanctions on benefit claimants are almost back to pre-pandemic levels – despite the cost of living crisis.
Let’s reflect and represent communities’ diversity
This International Women’s Day offers a great chance for local government to reflect on the scale of ambition needed to make itself more representative of the people it stands for, says Erica Roscoe.
Community power can unlock net zero
In the week IPPR North launches a report on the transition to net zero, Jonathan Webb looks at the importance and benefits of working with communities rather than imposing policies on them.
Amid current political chaos, levelling up cannot be overlooked
Rhetoric about levelling up is high – but the Government has been missing in action and inequalities are growing, says Dr Arianna Giovannini.
Levelling up transparency call amid funding row
Whitehall officials were this week facing renewed pressure over how the Levelling Up Fund was doled out amid allegations about the allocation of public funding.
Trust matters
Claire Kober says that we 'battle the latest phase of a global pandemic, it matters that we have political messengers who are listened to, believed and respected – and whose words inspire action'.
It's time for a U-turn on rail investment
The Government must commit to delivering the Northern Powerhouse Rail in full, the eastern leg of HS2 to Leeds and vital local transport improvements, or face the anger of a betrayed North, says Dr Arianna Giovannini.
Think-tank in call for wellbeing budgets
The Government should introduce ‘wellbeing budgets’ that look beyond gross domestic product (GDP) to reduce regional health inequalities, a think-tank has urged.
IPPR calls for new ‘proportional’ property charge to replace council tax
The Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) has called for a new ‘proportional’ property tax to replace the ‘unfair and outdated’ council tax.
Delivering on the potential of home care
Chris Thomas says other countries have identified the chance to put care at home at the centre of their social policy agenda – ‘and the UK should have the same ambition’.
Bridging the great divide
What can be done to reduce the digital divide? Erica Roscoe looks at recent research centred on England’s North East.
A charter for good employment
Joanne Roney looks at how collaboration between Metro Mayors and local authorities is focusing on delivering decent working conditions for people.
Social care chief reports 'unprecedented' pressures across the country
Isle of Wight Council’s social care chief has said a local incident where vulnerable people could have been left without care highlights the ‘unprecedented’ pressures happening across the country.
Northern mayors wielding more power than devo deals suggest
A hundred days after the May 2021 elections Northern mayors are wielding more power – particularly ‘soft’ power - than their devolution deals suggest, says new analysis.
This is our chance to level up for Cornwall
The themes in the Prime Minister’s levelling up speech chime clearly with Cornwall Council’s plan to build back stronger, greener and fairer, says Cllr Linda Taylor.
Future Forum North: How a green investment strategy could generate a jobs boom for the North
In a session hosted by ENGIE, a panel of three discussed the economic impact of a green investment strategy for the North.
Together we can tackle child poverty
North of Tyne Combined Authority is developing a two-year £875,000 Child Poverty Prevention programme. Cllr Karen Kilgour says a fair chance in life, with opportunity and security, should be every child’s destiny.