Levelling up
Delicate decisions
Three myths are holding back Labour’s growth plans, but there are ways to increase investment without wrecking the balance sheet, says Cllr Graham Chapman.
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.
41st time lucky?
After four decades of different initiatives which have failed to boost growth, Professor Martin Jones considers what needs to change to bring success.
There’s real value in our arts
Council support for arts and culture is at serious risk amid the latest funding crisis. But we must find a way to sustain the arts as a remedy to our deepest challenges, says Alison Mckenzie-Folan.
Dashboard compares healthy life expectancy across councils
A data tool to compare healthy life expectancy across all councils in England has been launched by The Health Foundation.
Agency will need to work with councils
Homes England chief executive Peter Denton has vowed to refocus efforts on delivering new housing in a market that desperately needs it, says Heather Jameson.
Growth key to devolution ambitions
Nathan Yeowell told The MJ’s Future Forum that aligning devolution with the aims of fostering economic growth would be key should Labour assume power following the General Election.
Growing pains
With local growth high on the political agenda, Ben Franklin sets out his recipe for success.
Levelling up project delays ‘astonishing’
Parliament’s spending watchdog has found ‘astonishing’ funding delays and blind optimism have blunted the impact of levelling up projects.
Has the levelling up agenda died or is it only resting?
Levelling-up's recent political incarnation was designed to appeal to voters with a four-year attention span, says Heather Jameson. 'It was only a matter of time before the public noticed there was little life in the bird.'
Experts in fresh push for fiscal devolution
An independent group of experts is preparing to pile pressure on ministers to back fiscal devolution, The MJ understands.
Recruitment conundrums and economic development
A key challenge for councils building economic development teams is understanding where to prioritise the service skills, while many candidates are opting for the contractor market, says Penna.
Growth matters
Tom Stannard talks to Ann McGauran about why strengthening local government’s economic development and regeneration role is crucial if the UK is to drive forward on growth.
More areas get level four devolution powers
West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and the Liverpool city region will all receive level four devolved powers, local government secretary Michael Gove has announced.
Levelling up requires ‘meaningful’ devolution, business group says
Business leaders have called for ‘meaningful decision-making powers’ to be devolved to local authorities to help boost left-behind regions.
The search for the Holy Grail of growth
In an exclusive interview, Lord Heseltine, the longstanding advocate of elected mayors, tells Michael Burton why powerful, devolved local government is essential for delivering the growth agenda.
Council tax bands need a regional overhaul
Heather Jameson asks: 'Will any incoming government rush to reform council tax? Will they be braver and take on wider public finance reform?'
Council to consider levelling up fund judicial review
Durham County Council will consider seeking a judicial review into how the Government allocated levelling up funding after the authority spent £1.2m on failed bids.
Hope amid the gloom
The coming year may look bleak but outgoing chief executive of the Centre for Progressive Policy Charlotte Alldritt says the inclusive growth agenda leaves her with lots of hope.
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.
