Economic growth

• Ministers to 'super charge' LEP performance

  Ministers have published plans to ‘super charge’ the performance and accountability of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) following a review.

  

• Building an inclusive economy in Kirklees

  Neil McInroy and Cllr Shabir Pandor explain how Kirklees’ new approach to economic development in the borough is informing the council’s inclusive growth agenda.

  

• Whitehall launches new ‘Council for the North’

  The Government will launch a modern day ‘Council for the North’ in an effort to overcome the historic North-South divide.

  

• Support cities for a £200bn boost to the economy, says Key Cities

  Key cities could add a further £214bn to the economy over the next decade if the Government supports them to raise productivity to the national average, the Key Cities Group has said.

  

• Think tank warns struggling high streets are 'too reliant on retail'

  City centres must swap shops for offices, housing and public space if they are to prosper, according to a leading think tank.

  

• LEPs 'failing' rural communities, says campaign group

  Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) have been accused of having a negative effect on the countryside.

  

• Councils warn about ‘damaging’ economic development funding cuts

  One in seven local authorities have had their funding for economic development cut over the past five years, according to new research.

  

• Cities must embrace technological change to prosper in future

  As we stand on the cusp of another age of automation, Andrew Carter says cities need to prepare and adapt to the coming changes to prosper in the future.

  

• From ghost town to go-to town

  What can local authorities learn from Altrincham to help regenerate Britain's town centres? Conor Leyden reports.

  

• Four East Midlands authorities explore devolution options

  Four county council leaders in the East Midlands have taken the first step towards a ‘future devolution deal.’