productivity
Cities can bring economic and policy substance to the levelling up agenda
A report from the OECD underlines that Core Cities still do not contribute their full potential to national prosperity, says Cllr Nick Forbes. But we can build on our experiences in handling the pandemic to create a platform for recovery, he adds.
We need to ask 'what are offices for' ?
Ministers are said to be concerned that despite the easing of COVID restrictions, few staff are coming into the office. Claire Kober says that at root there seems to be an implication that working from home is no more than an excuse to loaf.
Time to rethink going back to work
There is a real appetite to work differently post-pandemic, says Tony Kirkham. Instead of rushing back to the office, we should take the opportunity to think about the future
Hitting the target but missing the point
A report by the Institute for Government highlights the risks of a target culture - 'prioritising easy wins, ignoring important issues and manipulating data', says Claire Kober.
Successful leadership – top five emerging themes
Jes Ladva at Odgers Interim gives his assessment on the key leadership skills developing in local government for a bright post-pandemic future.
Making the most of remote working
Solace's Karishma Vakta-Smith looks at the impact of remote working, and what it means for the future of recruitment.
High hopes for high needs
IMPOWER has published a list of the best performing councils on high needs. Leo Jones takes a look at who's on it and at what makes them so good.
Our social care achievements can't be pinned to one single component
Andrew Loades outlines the key factors underpinning Redbridge LBC’s high productivity rating and satisfaction scores for adult social care.
A Budget for growth – so where is the catch?
Chancellor Rishi Sunak's Budget may not have delivered much for council revenues – for adult or children’s social care – but it is squarely aimed at boosting productivity and growth, writes Heather Jameson.
Hertfordshire leads the way in managing growth
All 12 members of the Hertfordshire Growth Board have now approved an official working agreement that will help make the county an even better place, says David Williams.
Slicker cities
Cllr Huw Thomas examines the findings of a new report looking at enhancing the potential and overall productivity of the UK’s core cities.
Avoiding the dangers of a ‘one-size-fits all’ approach
Two key recommendations highlighted in a new report on the need for 'levelling-up' to include counties are for Growth Boards - and for the devo White Paper to consider devolving budgets and powers to county areas, says Paul Dossett.
Go big or go home
Chair of the UK2070 Commission into spatial inequalities Lord Bob Kerslake says everyone will lose if we fail to tackle the widening productivity and wealth gap.
Reports highlight core cities' low productivity and increasing regional inequalities
Productivity in the UK’s core cites is low by national and international standards and regional inequalities are continuing to increase, two new reports have revealed.
OECD report on Core Cities is key to 'levelling up' the UK
Productivity in the UK’s Core Cities is low by national and international standards and they have the potential for much stronger and more inclusive growth, according to a new report from the OECD.
Maintaining performance
The 15 strongest performing councils in adult social care have been highlighted in IMPOWER’s latest productivity INDEX. Ralph Cook looks at the results.
We are £1 better off compared to 2008
After more than a decade, average pay has risen above its pre-election levels. Michael Burton asks what the future may hold for pay and productivity
Ministers must heed local productivity gaps
Ministerial efforts to reduce the regional productivity gap must recognise the imbalances at local level within regions, government advisers have warned.
OECD will say our over-centralised system holds places back
Core Cities has commissioned the OECD to put together a new and radical report into putting in place the right policies to enable places to fulfil their potential, says Cllr Judith Blake.
Not a business as usual approach
Metro Dynamics has launched a guide for people working in and with towns that distils what it has learned over the past few years, based on eight principles. Mike Emmerich explains.
