Economic growth | LocalGov


Council chiefs back call for funding creatives 04/03/2025 Local government leaders have backed a call to provide more financial support to smaller creative industries which can ‘drive local growth.’
Spending Review chance to end ‘permacrisis’ 11/02/2025 The Spending Review is a chance to end the ‘permacrisis’ that has left a growing number of local authorities on the brink of bankruptcy, London Councils says.
Children's mental health crisis costs over £1tn 05/02/2025 The failure to tackle the children's mental health crisis costs the UK over £1tn in lifetime lost earnings, researchers focusing on mental health warn.
Plans for Europe’s joint-tallest building approved 16/12/2024 London's skyline is set to be transformed with the erection of a 74-storey tower, which is the same height as the Shard, Western Europe’s tallest building.
Chancellor confirms pension ‘megafund’ plans 14/11/2024 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed plans to merge local government pension schemes into ‘megafunds’ to drive economic growth.
UKSPF allocations slashed by 40% 05/11/2024 Allocations from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) have been cut by 40% to £900m for a ‘transitional' 2025-26 ahead of wider local growth funding reform.
Councils 'sitting on' £8bn of s106 and CIL money 21/10/2024 Councils in England and Wales have failed to spend over £8bn of section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) money, according to a new report.
Solace: Underfunding councils ‘ultimate false economy’ 14/10/2024 Failing to properly fund councils is ‘the ultimate false economy’ because it forces them to make ‘repugnant’ cuts which lead to greater problems in the future.
Mayors can relieve council pressures, says report 09/10/2024 Mayoral combined authorities (MCAs) can help with long-standing policy challenges in public services as well as boosting economic growth, a think-tank has argued.
Staffordshire leaders kick off devolution conversation 30/09/2024 Council leaders across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent have written to the Government to begin a conversation about devolution.
Councils work to manage impact from collapse of major contractor 23/09/2024 Councils across England and Wales are working to manage the impact to a string of major infrastructure projects following the collapse of building firm ISG.
Think tank calls for health and prosperity improvement zones 17/09/2024 Local authorities should be empowered to create health and prosperity improvement zones modelled on clean air zones, a cross-party commission says.
Regional growth initiatives likely to 'fall over next year' without UKSPF clarity 12/09/2024 Regional growth initiatives are likely to ‘fall over next year' unless the Government clarifies the future of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), a combined authority chief has warned.
Call for Reeves to remove barriers to pension investment 09/08/2024 The chancellor has been urged to make a ‘concerted effort' to break down barriers to investment so the local government pension scheme can boost growth.
$Skills England to fix ‘fractured’ skills landscape image$ Skills England to fix ‘fractured’ skills landscape 22/07/2024 A new body will tackle the ‘fractured’ skills landscape across England, the Prime Minister and education secretary have announced.
King's Speech: Devolution takes centre stage 17/07/2024 The announcement of an English Devolution Bill took centre stage in the King's Speech.
King's Speech: A plan for devolution 17/07/2024 The new Labour Government has set out a widespread plan for devolution and economic growth in its Parliamentary timetable, with central diktat reserved for planning proposals.
Rayner: Labour ready to ‘transfer power out of Whitehall’ 09/07/2024 Deputy PM Angela Rayner is set to tell regional mayors that Labour is ready to ‘transfer power out of Whitehall’ through a major programme of devolution.
Reeves: Labour set to bring back housebuilding targets 08/07/2024 Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announce today that she will bring back compulsory housebuilding targets.
LGPS quizzed in Labour economic growth push 04/07/2024 Labour has been asking local government pensions schemes their views on greater ‘investment into the UK’ as they look to drive growth, consultant says.
Wakefield seeks acclaim as UK sculpture capital 18/06/2024 Wakefield Council has devised a plan to boost tourism and gain recognition as the UK capital of sculpture.
Growth at heart of LGA White Paper 03/06/2024 The Local Government Association (LGA) has called for powers and funding so that councils can take a leading role in driving inclusive growth.
Reeves: No return to austerity 29/05/2024 Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said there will be no return to austerity under a Labour Government.
Mayors meet to hear growth plans 13/05/2024 Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has summoned his party’s newly-elected mayors for a meeting to detail his plans for economic growth.
Night-time economy leaders frustrated at lack of support 24/04/2024 Business leaders working in London's night-time economy have expressed their ‘frustration and anger’ at the lack of governmental support the sector receives.
Addressing regional inequalities 18/04/2024 Andrew Borland, Chief Innovation Officer at the Virtual Engineering Centre (VEC), University of Liverpool discusses the importance of levelling up for growth.
Call for evidence boost in local economic policy 16/04/2024 Centre for Cities has called for more evidence to be at the heart of local economic policy making.
Worcestershire CC launches plan to boost tourism 14/03/2024 Worcestershire County Council has launched a new plan to grow the county’s ‘billion-pound tourism economy’.
Report calls for more devolution to boost creative industries 23/01/2024 The further devolution of powers and funding connected to culture will help tackle economic stagnation and will boost to local communities, study finds.
Levelling up must continue, urges think-tank 22/01/2024 Efforts to level up the country and devolve more powers to local government should continue following the General Election, a think-tank has urged.
‘Bad health blackspots’ hold back growth 19/01/2024 Stark health inequalities are holding back economic growth, new research has found.
Culture year to launch with raft of events 02/01/2024 A year-long programme of cultural activities in Wakefield is set to kick off with a day of 24 free events.
‘Growth zones’ for West Midlands in UK first 22/12/2023 The West Midlands is to become the first UK region to receive new ‘growth zone’ powers, which the combined authority said could generate £1.7bn.
Government confirms LEP funding 21/12/2023 Eligible councils will receive ‘up to’ £240,000 in 2024-25 to deliver the functions previously covered by Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), the Government has said.
Autumn Statement: West Midlands investment zone confirmed 23/11/2023 An investment zone is set to be established in the West Midlands focusing on three sites in Warwickshire, Birmingham, and Wolverhampton, Chancellor confirms.
Nearly 460k unemployed due to unhealthy lifestyle 21/11/2023 Nearly 460,000 people in the UK are unemployed due to the health impact of tobacco, alcohol, and obesity, costing the economy £31.1bn.
West Yorkshire to host £220m investment zone 21/11/2023 A new investment zone has been announced for West Yorkshire focused on life sciences.
Land value tax could redistribute billions 09/11/2023 A plan to reform business rates could lead to billions of pounds being redistributed from high land value areas to other parts of the country.
Call for local income tax collection for biggest city regions 08/11/2023 More taxation powers, including the ability to keep a proportion of income tax, should be devolved to England’s three biggest city regions, a think-tank has argued.
Manifesto push for statutory economic powers 07/11/2023 The Institute of Economic Development (IED) has launched an ‘agenda for change’ with a continued call for councils to be given statutory duties on economic development.
Optimism about Greater Manchester’s economy ‘badly misplaced’ 21/09/2023 Greater Manchester should expand its city centre, improve connectivity, and build 126,000 more homes to boost its productivity, the Resolution Foundation says.
Gove to ease nutrient neutrality requirements 29/08/2023 Ministers have announced they will ease divisive development rules on water pollution blamed for low housebuilding rates in rural areas.
LEP functions to be transferred to upper-tier councils 04/08/2023 The Government has today confirmed it will transfer many Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) functions to upper-tier councils and combined authorities.
VisitBritain HQ moves to Birmingham 20/07/2023 Birmingham will be home to VisitBritain’s new headquarters, the national tourism agency has announced.
Hull plans ‘innovative’ box park venue 18/07/2023 Hull CC will consider developing a ‘box park’ site on what is currently waste land, with the aim of attracting visitors to the city centre and creating jobs.
Cities call for new devolved powers 18/07/2023 A group of cities today demanded new devolved powers and investment to help the UK become a science and innovation ‘superpower’.
South Yorkshire named as UK’s first investment zone 17/07/2023 South Yorkshire was named by the Government on Friday as the site of the first UK investment zone.
Public libraries generate £3.4bn a year, study finds 07/07/2023 England’s public libraries generate at least £3.4bn each year, a landmark new analysis has revealed.
Pledge promotes prosperity 04/07/2023 Cllr Tracey Dixon, leader of South Tyneside Council, explains the local authority’s Pledge ahead of the council’s presentation at the LGA’s annual conference.
Barnsley launches new initiative to boost employment 04/07/2023 Barnsley Council and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority have launched a new initiative to support thousands of residents into employment.
Plans for South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Hub unveiled 29/06/2023 South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard has announced plans to create 300 apprenticeships in the region through a new Apprenticeship Hub.
Closing council gender gap could boost output £23bn 15/06/2023 Closing the gender employment gap in UK local authorities would increase economic output by £23bn or 1% of GDP, according to campaigners.
Doncaster council’s fight to reopen airport gets £3m boost 06/06/2023 The fight to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport has been given a £3.1m boost by South Yorkshire's mayoral combined authority.
Oxford and Swindon top ‘good growth’ index 26/05/2023 Oxford and Swindon have come out top in a ranking of cities according to their residents’ economic wellbeing, with Bristol and Exeter following closely behind.
London boroughs agree first infrastructure framework 17/05/2023 All 33 local authorities across London have agreed an infrastructure framework on a cross-party, pan-London basis for the first time.
Council chiefs call for statutory powers to boost economy 16/05/2023 Local authority leaders have urged the Government to give councils statutory powers over economic development.
North East has highest percentage of empty shops 10/05/2023 The North East has the highest percentage of empty high street shops in Britain, a new study has revealed.
‘Red Wall’ areas score poorly on social fabric index 02/05/2023 Local communities in areas won by the Conservatives from Labour in 2019 have continued to face decline despite the levelling up agenda, think tank finds.
Cornwall Council’s space centre launches new R&D facility 28/04/2023 The space centre owned by Cornwall Council has opened a new building for businesses developing and launching satellites.
Labour pledges to revitalise high streets 12/04/2023 Labour will today promote its plan to revitalise ailing high streets through a £700m fund to help small businesses with soaring energy bills.
Why a circular economy is good for local government 23/03/2023 Wayne Hubbard, CEO of ReLondon, argues that green measures can save councils money and help local businesses.
West Midlands CA welcomes unspent Commonwealth Games funding 20/03/2023 Around £70m of unspent Commonwealth Games funding is to be used to develop the West Midlands economy and boost its trade and tourism sectors.
New Buckinghamshire film studios to create 1,200 jobs 17/03/2023 Buckinghamshire Council has granted planning permission for a new eight-stage film studio expected to support 1,200 jobs.
Budget 2023: Hunt confirms investment zone cash 15/03/2023 Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has confirmed in the spring budget plans to go ahead with 12 investment zones, each backed by a multi-million-pound injection of cash.
MPs call for more power to be granted to London’s councils 13/03/2023 MPs have called for more power and resources to be devolved to London’s local authorities in order to boost the capital’s productivity.
Systemic sexism costs economy over £88bn a year 08/03/2023 Barriers faced by women wanting to work is costing the economy in England, Scotland and Wales £88.7bn every year, according to new research.
Councils should become primary provider of childcare, survey finds 06/03/2023 Councils should become the primary provider of state-subsidised childcare designed to get parents back to work and boost productivity, a new survey has found.
Shetland council launches campaign to attract fishing boats 01/03/2023 Shetland Islands Council and Lerwick Port Authority have joined forces to encourage fishing boats to land in their harbours.
Treasury tightens grip over DLUHC spending 08/02/2023 New capital projects by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) will now have to be approved by the Treasury.
Leicestershire council to convert its office into hotel 06/02/2023 A Leicestershire council is planning to turn parts of its office into a hotel because staff working from home means less space is needed.
Poor health 'undermining UK economy' think tank warns 08/12/2022 Mental health problems are the most common reason for people being unable to work new research has revealed.
Labour outlines huge devolution push 05/12/2022 Labour proposes removing ‘dead hand of centralisation’ by devolving to local government wide-ranging powers over employment, growth, transport and education.
Liverpool signs deal for £70m Littlewoods project 04/12/2022 The developers behind the £70m Littlewoods project have signed a deal with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Liverpool City Council to kick start the project.
Think tank warns against ‘anti-London sentiment’ 30/11/2022 A think tank has accused policymakers of ‘anti-London sentiment’ and urged Whitehall to do more to include the capital in the levelling up agenda.
Reeves to make case for economic devolution 23/11/2022 The shadow chancellor will make the case for ‘deeper and broader’ economic devolution as Labour stresses the need for ‘more local powers’ over the economy.
Colchester and Reading join Key Cities network 21/11/2022 Colchester and Reading today announced that they have joined Key Cities, a network representing the UK’s urban areas, to help drive their economic growth.
Council leader welcomes plans to relocate famous markets 18/11/2022 The leader of Barking and Dagenham council, Cllr Darren Rodwell, has welcomed plans to relocate Billingsgate and Smithfield wholesale markets to Dagenham Dock.
Autumn statement: Investment zones ‘refocus’ in Autumn Statement 17/11/2022 Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt has binned ‘existing expressions of interest’ from councils to set up investment zones as the Government moves to ‘refocus’ the programme.
Women’s Euro 2022 gives Sheffield £8m boost 18/10/2022 Sheffield’s hosting of UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 gave the city’s economy an £8.3m boost, new research reveals.
Decline of economic vitality across 20 UK cities is 'accelerating' 10/10/2022 Nottingham has seen the biggest drop in its economic vitality rating compared to other UK cities, new research has revealed today.
Councils invited to host Investment Zones 03/10/2022 Local authorities are now able to apply to host a new Investment Zone, the Government announced over the weekend.
Government urged to ‘turbocharge’ devolution 26/09/2022 Council leaders have urged the Government to go ‘further’ with devolution and to conclude deals with the first cohort of county areas by the end of autumn.
Mini-Budget: Kwarteng's plans to boost economic growth 23/09/2022 New Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has unveiled a mini-Budget aimed at boosting the economy and growing his way out of the country’s financial woes.
Local government ‘over-centralised’, think tanks say 02/09/2022 Local government is over-centralised, inefficient, and under-resourced and is harming the UK economy, a new report says.
Call for new PM to boost role of LEPs 08/08/2022 The next PM must better support small businesses through Local Enterprise Partnerships if the UK is to ride the forthcoming recession, business leaders warn.
Think tank calls for beefed up levelling up 26/07/2022 A think tank has demanded the next government reverse council funding cuts and beef up the levelling up Bill after new figures revealed public spending continues to leave the North behind.
‘Parallel pandemic’ of mental ill health cost North £2bn 25/07/2022 The number of mental ill health cases in the North of England were much higher during the pandemic than in any other part of the country and cost £2bn.
Boldly going where Birmingham has never gone before 21/07/2022 Cllr Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, explains the integral role of the local authority in delivering the upcoming Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Second round of Levelling Up Fund opens for bids 18/07/2022 Councils are being urged to bid for a share of £4.8bn as part of the Government's Levelling Up Fund.
Outer London left behind in post-COVID recovery 13/06/2022 Ethnically diverse local authority areas on the outskirts of London are being left behind in the post-pandemic recovery, think tank warns.
Index to help drive levelling up published 11/05/2022 The planning and development consultancy Lichfields has created an index to help local authority areas capitalise on the levelling up agenda.
Belfast tops index for economic vitality growth 11/05/2022 Belfast has achieved the highest growth in economic vitality out of 20 key cities in the UK, a new index has revealed.
Levelling up plans will fail, IfG report claims 31/03/2022 The Government’s plans for levelling up will not cut regional inequality, a report from the influential Institute for Government (IfG) has claimed.
Glasgow tops list of most economically resilient cities 23/03/2022 Glasgow has proven to be the city with the most resilient economy in the face of the pandemic, a new study has revealed.
Devolution for all: Gove unveils long-awaited White Paper 02/02/2022 By 2030, every part of England that wants one will have a devolution deal, the Government’s long-awaited Levelling Up White Paper has revealed.
National approach to levelling up is 'ineffective' warns study 01/02/2022 Policies to address regional inequalities should be tailored to individual communities’ needs, according to the results of a new study.
Bradford has most 'levelling up' potential, Index finds 17/01/2022 New research has revealed the towns and cities in England that could make the best use of the Government’s levelling up funding.
More power to metro mayors, northern leaders say 06/12/2021 Business and civic leaders in the North have called for metro mayors to be given more powers over transport infrastructure, education and skills to drive the ‘levelling-up’ agenda.
Wales tops economic vitality index 16/11/2021 A new economic vitality index has revealed that Wales managed to weather the COVID-19 pandemic better than the UK’s other home countries.
Government allocates £200m Community Renewal Funding 04/11/2021 The Government has announced which projects will receive a share of the £200m Community Renewal Funding, and has given local authorities extra time to spend the money.