Why “security” should be more than a buzzword for Labour
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Regional Development
Reporting and commentary on the government’s levelling up agenda.
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The energy sector reform the UK needs
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Resolving the crisis in children’s dentistry
Recent articles
Exclusive: Half of councillors say social housing has not been upgraded since 2010
As residents face extortionate energy bills this winter, many council homes in need of retrofitting remain unfit for purpose.
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Council bankruptcy tracker: authorities under increasing financial strain
Six local authorities have declared bankruptcy since 2021. Spotlight looks at the financial situation at English councils.
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What does it mean when a council declares itself bankrupt?
Local governments across England are worried about their finances, and we should be too.
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The manufacturing sector is a vital part of the green transition
Driving economic growth, levelling up the country and reaching net zero are all interdependent.
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Exclusive: High streets “worse since 2010”, say most Tory councillors
The Conservative government claims the economy has “turned a corner” – but its own grassroots say otherwise.
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Apprenticeships are key for closing small business skills gaps
The economy needs more workers with digital skills.
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Over 1,000 levelling-up projects “unlikely” to be completed by original deadline
Only 64 projects supported with levelling-up funds have been built.
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Manchester and West Midlands devolution deals are just the beginning
Officials whisper about the abolition of combined authorities. But they are already having success through partnership and experimentation.
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The Parliament Brief: Investment zones need more incentives, MPs told
Academics and industry leaders say that the benefits of zones and freeports for businesses are too limited.
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The Research Brief: why raising taxes might be central to tackling regional inequalities
Your weekly dose of policy thinking.
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Local businesses hold the key to transforming the high street
Community-led organisations could be the future of economic growth and regeneration.
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The HS2 train arrives at Labour conference
The Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham challenges Keir Starmer to commit to “true” Northern Powerhouse Rail.
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What would a Labour government do about HS2 and levelling up?
As the party’s conference nears, the opposition will have to set out its plans to bring economic growth to…
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Here’s how to tackle Britain’s housing crisis
Without investment in social housing, waiting lists grow – as will the number of people trapped in hotels, hostels…
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How the next government can build on the UK’s strength in services exports
Our services industry is concentrated within London and the south-east – we must tackle this regional bias.
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Businesses must unlock the regional growth agenda
Partnership between the government, industry, and third sector is essential for driving true levelling up forwards.
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The first thing Labour should do with power? Give it away
We need to rewire our politics to create the fairer society Labour was formed to strive for.
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In austerity Britain, councils have sold off billions in public assets
We are still paying the price for cuts to public services – we must boost power locally to redress…
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How are new rail networks boosting the economy?
Alongside providing better transport connections, railway lines contribute to employment, economic prosperity, and sustainability goals.
The Research Brief: How planning problems are slowing down the green transition
Your weekly dose of policy thinking.
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How might Keir Starmer run the country? Look to Labour councils
Labour-led authorities have governed under austerity for more than a decade, with mixed success.
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The new shadow environment secretary faces a “key test for Labour”
Steve Reed must take the plunge on nutrient neutrality.
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The new radical? What to expect from the shadow levelling-up secretary
Angela Rayner now presides over a sprawling policy remit – and the opposition’s most far-reaching reforms.
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Parliament is back: what’s on the agenda?
As MPs return from summer, here’s what to expect in legislation on the economy, sustainability and healthcare.
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Digital exclusion is leaving coastal communities behind
We need investment into connectivity, or inequalities will only widen.
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Rishi Sunak’s LTNs review exposes the hollow promises of devolution
Both parties promise to end decades of centralisation – but only if the beneficiaries stick rigidly to Whitehall’s plans.
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Why Michael Gove’s long-term plan for housing falls short
Without meaningful commitments from government, we won’t have decent, affordable and energy-efficient homes.
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Bradford’s high-speed rail saga exposes Britain’s short-termism
The government may be revising its decision not to include the Yorkshire city in its rail plans – and…
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The Policy Ask with Owen Pritchard: “I’d ban the public sector paying ransoms to hackers”
The Local Government Association’s cybersecurity lead on Nelson Mandela, serving in the army, and asking for forgiveness rather than…
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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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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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