Infrastructure
Put climate change at the heart of building back, say MPs
Climate change needs to be at the heart of the government’s plans to build back the economy after COVID-19, MPs have declared.
Back to the future for Big Bang of the North
A new study on levelling up the North sounds like a return to urban development corporations, says Michael Burton.
Think-tank launches levelling up Big Bang theory
The Government should launch a Northern Big Bang to ‘unleash a torrent of investment into the Northern economy’ says a report from a Conservative think-tank.
Turning housing numbers into communities
The pandemic has shown that collaboration between county and district councils yields results, and they must also be capable of coming together to create the step change we need in how we turn housing numbers into communities, says Joanna Killian.
Jenrick announces delayed £830m high street investment
The Government has finally announced the 72 areas that will benefit from millions of pounds of funding as part of the effort to help high streets recover from the impact of the pandemic.
A good port in a storm?
Rishi Sunak says freeports will cut red tape and taxes for UK businesses. But are they the right cure for economically ailing places? Ann McGauran reports.
Guiding freeport proposals in the Thames Estuary
Kate Willard and Perry Glading outline the Thames Estuary Growth Board’s guiding principles for freeport proposals, based on six key areas.
A mixed bag for councils
While Sir Bob Neill says there was much in the Spending Review to applaud, ‘what’s ultimately needed is a complete repair job of local government finance’.
Live Local Plan Monitor provides an up-to-date snapshot
Carter Jonas’ Live Local Plan Monitor is 'a unique web-based resource which provides comprehensive information on adopted plans, emerging plans, consultations and councils’ housing supply' says Peter Canavan.
SPENDING REVIEW: Live to fight another year
Local government has probably got just about enough from the chancellor to keep the show on the road, says Jonathan Werran. 'And possibly extend the road for the sake of kicking the familiar battered can that is social care funding down it...'
Sunak unveils a Spending Review for jobs, public services and infrastructure
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has unveiled a £4bn levelling up fund as part of a Spending Review which he claimed offered ‘huge investment’ in jobs, public services and infrastructure.
Spending Review: Infrastructure gets pride of place
The chancellor Rishi Sunak used the 2020 Spending Review to launch a new strategy for UK infrastructure.
Sunak to re-write Green Book to level up the North
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to announce plans to re-write the Green Book in the spending review this week, as part of the Government’s commitment to levelling up.
We need a renaissance in strategic planning
Joanna Killian says the need to deliver future-focused, robust infrastructure to support housing growth has never been greater - and a CCN-commissioned report offers proposals that 'taken together offer the critical missing piece of the puzzle'.
HOUSING: Will the planning shake-up help to level up?
Colin Brown asks if the Government’s proposed changes to the planning system will help or hinder housing need across the UK.
Sunak's cash pledge to head off revolt
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has pledged extra cash in a bid to head off a revolt by a new northern group of Conservative MPs.
Three pathways to reducing regional disparities
Better defining ‘levelling up’ is a crucial step to achieving it, writes Professor Sir Tim Besley. A new discussion paper from the National Infrastructure Commission says a ‘balanced portfolio’ of interventions across three pathways is required.
Cities have 'gone backwards towards a centralising tendency'
Cities have ‘gone backwards’ towards a centralising tendency in response to COVID-19 and in relation to the proposals in the Planning White Paper, says Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.
Javid calls for 'fresh look at local government'
Former communities secretary Sajid Javid has called for a ‘fresh look at local government’.
Any further loosening of planning laws would be a disaster for towns and cities
Cllr Faisal Rana of Rochdale MBC argues that the government's planning White Paper will have a devastating impact on all Greater Manchester’s local communities.
