inequality
Mind the gap between levelling up ‘rhetoric and reality,’ think-tank warns
Central Government policies have undermined the levelling up agenda and left the UK more regionally divided than ever, a new study has claimed.
The stakes are high for the levelling up white paper
The Levelling Up White Paper must seek to broaden and deepen devolution, and provide a framework for it that offers local leaders the power and cash they need to tackle local and regional priorities, says Erica Roscoe.
Birmingham has a bold vision for levelling up
The levelling up White Paper must show how double devolution can deliver opportunities for every local place and back the innovations Birmingham is leading the way on, says Cllr Ian Ward.
Reflections on 2021
Julie Towers looks back on the past 12 months, anticipates what will be in store in the new year and assesses how the sector needs to adapt to keep up with the pace of change.
Boosting opportunities for Islington’s businesswomen
Cllr Asima Shaikh explains the steps being taken in Islington to help female entrepreneurs reach their full potential, build back differently and create a more equal borough.
The Government should push on fast with reorganisation
Anyone looking at bold plans for the future should bite the bullet on reorganisation and get it done fast, advises global chief executive of Ipsos Ben Page.
HMJ: The inextricable link between wealth and health
Katherine Merrifield and Gwen Nightingale, assistant directors of healthy lives at the Health Foundation, warn a cross-government strategy is needed to improve the country’s health and tackle health inequalities.
Give districts an equal voice in county deals
Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen explains why district councils want to have an equal voice in developing county deals and be an active partner in delivering them.
Closing the COVID gaps
Stopping communities sinking further into the inequalities that have been widened by the pandemic requires a whole system approach, says Rachel Flowers.
Buying benefits for communities
Associate director of CLES Tom Lloyd Goodwin looks at how the quest for social value is being approached through making the most of opportunities within local 'anchor institutions'.
Protecting London’s women and girls
Cllr Jas Athwal says that as we mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, London’s boroughs are committed to doing everything they can to address the many causes of violence against women and girls.
Youth justice needs a redesign
A shocking television exposure of aggressive staff behaviour towards children at the Medway Secure Training Centre should have been a watershed moment, but five years on this is still not the case, says Charlotte Ramsden.
Lambeth is already stepping up on climate action
Lambeth will release its borough-wide Climate Action Plan next month. It is vital that our Government recognises that local councils must be at the centre of the campaign against the climate crisis, says council leader Cllr Claire Holland.
Levelling up - slogan or strategy?
If an area is deprived and needs investment it shouldn’t have to pit itself against neighbouring authorities for funding, says Cllr George Duggins.
Chancellor’s ‘age of optimism’ doesn’t ring true for council finances
The Spending Review did not bring funding back to anything like 2010 levels and London boroughs are left facing £400m losses over the next two years, says Cllr Darren Rodwell.
Leading the way on diversity and inclusion in Hertfordshire
The shocking murders of George Floyd and Sarah Everard have further strengthened Hertfordshire’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion and tackling harassment and abuse, says Owen Mapley.
The good, the bad and the ugly
If the Government is to hit its goals on integration, prevention and health inequality it needs to fund the NHS, social care and public health properly. But the Spending Review was a mixed picture, says Rob Whiteman.
Let's take our chance to get things right on the health gap
Ten years after Professor Marmot’s initial report the health gap has grown, says Gill Kneller. Along with other partners, local councils have a key role to play in connecting with communities to turn this curve, she believes.
Local authorities are essential partners in the fight against health inequalities
Tom Gardiner and Stephen Bradley of the Fabian Society highlight a new collection of essays offering a suite of policy approaches for tackling health inequalities in a post-pandemic era. The role of local government is crucial, they say.
A rare moment for change
The Centre for Progressive Policy’s annual Inclusive Growth Conference emphasised the role of place in creating a greener, fairer economy, with localism identified as the biggest lever for system change. Thomas Hauschildt and Ross Mudie report.
