“It’s a gravy train”: one surveyor’s fight to fix Britain’s leasehold system
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Regional Development
Reporting and commentary on the government’s levelling up agenda.
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Recent articles
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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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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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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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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What’s causing HS2’s endless downgrades and delays?
“The people’s railway”has been undermined by the UK’s disjointed approach to policy and planning.
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A better future starts at home
The foundation of a good life is decent, secure housing.
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Why are London’s housing estates choosing to be demolished?
Sadiq Khan promised residents would decide the future of their homes. Critics say it’s a false choice.
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Why communities are vital to tackling the multiple crises we face
Radical local policies can build the Green New Deal.
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Does devolution really boost growth?
Keir Starmer wants the UK to have the fastest-growing economy in the G7. But does Labour have the plan…
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Awaab’s law needs to protect private sector tenants too
The government’s plans to improve conditions in social housing stock don’t go far enough.
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The Policy Ask with Martin Coppack: “I didn’t have the same ‘prestigious’ education as my peers”
The director of social justice campaign group Fair By Design on financial inclusion, toxic workplaces and not being “polished”.
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Levelling up won’t happen until the UK solves its drugs problem
There is a clear link between deprivation and drug misuse.
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MPs call for 90,000 more social homes every year and a new housing court
The Levelling Up Committee has said the government needs to step up its plans to protect renters and punish…
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Michael Gove and the levelling up agenda have been hamstrung
The Treasury will reportedly oversee all of the Levelling Up Department’s capital spending.
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Why it’s time to scrap the apprenticeship minimum wage
Paying £4.81 per hour is exploitative and wrongly assumes all apprentices have families who can support them.
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Royal Academy of Engineering chief: “The industry has a diversity deficit”
Hayaatun Sillem on the need for inclusive product design, problems with the education system, and her unexpected route into…
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Why don’t we have a Department for Housing?
Some political heft and gravitas could provide much-needed focus to this overlooked portfolio.
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