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Regional Development
Reporting and commentary on the government’s levelling up agenda.
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Recent articles
Local authorities need an emergency rescue package
Starving councils of much-needed finance will prove to be a false economy.
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The Policy Ask with James Heath: “The UK has been very slow on decarbonising buildings”
The chief executive of the National Infrastructure Commission on remote working, devolution and the need to accelerate green energy…
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Two thirds of young people say work damages their mental health
Polling shared exclusively with Spotlight finds that most workers think their job does them harm.
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The Policy Ask with Matt Downie: “Ending homelessness through a housing-first model is a transformative idea”
The CEO of Crisis on rogue landlords, the inhumanity of the “hostile environment” mantra and Finland’s housing-first policy.
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Britain’s banks can drive prosperity everywhere
Support for international trade underpins growth.
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For economic growth, send the men home
Research finds the UK’s measly paternity leave is a drag on the economy.
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The bold policy that could help Labour solve the housing crisis
New housebuilding and planning policies need to boost local economies, not just landowners and developers.
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Can Clean Air Zones fix the UK’s air pollution problem?
The controversial initiative has come under fire from local leaders.
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Can redesigning cities boost economic growth? – with PwC
A special podcast from Spotlight, the New Statesman’s policy supplement.
Michael Gove’s Renters Reform Bill is “unenforceable”
Local authorities don’t have the resources or skills to uphold regulation of the private rented sector.
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What does it mean when a council declares bankruptcy?
Local governments across England are worried about their finances, and we should be too.
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To truly tackle regional disparities, we need a new type of devolution
PwC’s Good Growth for Cities Report shows that empowering local leaders is central to closing the economic gap between…
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The levelling-up agenda has failed young people
Nine in ten under-25s consider being able to afford food aspirational – the government must start involving them in…
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How to implement a policy: universal free school meals
London’s Mayor still needs to figure out the financing, staffing and investment to deliver his flagship pledge, according to…
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Andy Street criticises government messaging on the 2021 Levelling Up Fund
At a New Statesman conference, the West Midlands mayor said it should have been clear the policy was more…
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Why we need an industrial strategy
Business is deserting the UK as a place to invest.
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Could new regulation kill off short-term holiday lets?
The government is currently consulting on whether to regulate holiday rentals commonly advertised on platforms like Airbnb.
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Andy Street: “Our devolution deal is the end of the begging bowl”
The Mayor of the West Midlands on how the “landmark” shift of powers from Whitehall to his authority will…
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How would Labour do levelling up?
Labour's shadow levelling up minister, Alex Norris, on the opposition's plans for devolution and regional policy.
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Three leadership pivots for rapidly changing times
Inflation is affecting local government delivery everywhere.
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Dehenna Davison on devolution: “We have instigated the greatest transfer of power in living memory”
Our new deals will hand strong, effective metro mayors the tools they need to grow their regions.
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Health equity is the key to prosperity
We need intervention to close widening regional divides.
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We must focus on skills to boost the economy
Lifelong learning and regional growth are vital for levelling up.
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Regional Development: The devolution dilemma
Expert comment and analysis from Alex Norris MP, Dehenna Davison MP and Andy Street.
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The Policy Ask with Martin Tugwell: “Free public transport could deliver economic, environmental and social benefits”
Transport for the North’s chief executive on devolution, infrastructure delivery, and his role in the Olympic opening ceremony.
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The shattered Tory bloc and the end of levelling up
Exclusive New Statesman polling reveals what local councillors really think of the government’s flagship regional policy agenda.
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“No tangible benefits”: Tory councillors give their verdict on levelling up
An exclusive New Statesman survey reveals waning support for the government’s flagship policy.
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Could the local elections be a damp squib for Labour? Here’s what councillors think
A New Statesman poll suggests local government representatives are ambivalent about Labour’s election chances.
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In defence of Town Hall “fat cats”
If the TaxPayers’ Alliance is so opposed to high pay, why does it want to abolish the top rate…
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Why are more homeless people dying?
New figures show that the number of people dying while homeless rose 20 per cent in England and Wales…
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The Policy Ask with Henri Murison: “We need to shrink central government and transfer civil servants to the regions”
The chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership on devolution, HS2 and dealing with the Treasury’s red tape.
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Blackpool South took a gamble on the Tories. Has it paid off?
Voters in Scott Benton's constituency reflect on the "levelling up" agenda.
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Will Michael Gove’s Right to Buy reforms mean more affordable housing?
The Levelling Up Secretary has promised local authorities will keep all the money from the sale of council homes…
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What next for businesses after the Budget?
NatWest’s SME Taskforce welcomed the government’s focus on childcare, but felt that an opportunity to back small enterprises had…
It’s time for Whitehall to stop micromanaging councils’ spending
To truly rebalance the UK’s economy, central government needs to devolve more fiscal power to local leaders.
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The Policy Ask with Charlotte Alldritt: “There can be no going back on childcare reform”
The chief executive of the Centre for Progressive Policy on the vital importance of wraparound school provision, adult skills…
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How do we restore trust in the public sector?
Speaking at the New Statesman Future Generations conference, panellists discussed how to prevent young people from losing faith in…
How Wales could save the world
Sophie Howe, the nation’s first-ever commissioner for future generations, on what it takes to prioritise well-being over GDP.
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“The people who have the power lack diversity”
We need a wider cohort of policymakers to make society fairer, says Felicia Odamtten, founder of the Black Economists…
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What does the Budget mean for levelling up?
Four takeaways for the regions from the Chancellor’s announcement: more powers, but little reprieve from austerity pressures.
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