Title

LONDON COUNCILS

Economic growth strategy slammed by RSA's Flanders

The UK’s ‘clunky, centrally-planned’ approach to economic growth must be scrapped if all communities are to benefit, an expert has warned.

The UK's ‘clunky, centrally-planned' approach to economic growth must be scrapped if all communities are to benefit, an expert has warned.

Ahead of her speech at the London Councils Summit next weekend, chair of the RSA's Inclusive Growth Commission, Stephanie Flanders, called on the country to revise its approach to growth by better linking education with local labour markets and forming closer ties between services, schools, transport and health.

In a comment piece for The MJ Ms Flanders said efforts to tackle long-term skills and productivity issues would need to ‘move us away from the clunky, centrally-planned corporatism of yesteryear'.

She wrote: ‘The challenge will be for places themselves to define their own vision for inclusive growth and to work within a more grown up devolution context that blends the best of central and local government.'

LONDON COUNCILS

Deadlock over December deadline

By Joe Lepper | 08 September 2026

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is bullish on enforcing a statutory deadline of December for councils to submit their local plans, ...

LONDON COUNCILS

Quango conundrum

By Ann McGauran | 27 August 2026

Rewiring the State promises a serious look at whether arm’s-length bodies’ powers and funding should be handed to local leaders or returned to ministerial d...

LONDON COUNCILS

Economic rewiring must also benefit towns

By Sarah Norman | 26 August 2026

Barnsley’s story shows why towns need long-term investment, says Sarah Norman.

LONDON COUNCILS

Backing good growth locally

By Matt Smith | 25 August 2026

Devolution brings some risk, but also massive opportunity, says Matt Smith.

Popular articles by Thomas Bridge

-->