LED Confidential

What can local leaders do when faced with the closure of a major employment site like British Steel in Scunthorpe that the UK government stepped in to save? When thousands of jobs are at stake is there a rulebook to follow or is politics all?

What does an aggressively protectionist US trade policy mean for local economies in the States and further afield? Can it re-industrialise Appalachia, or is it doomed to fail?

In this episode, David and Mike explore the transformative potential of Mayoral Combined Authorities in England for economic development and public services. They are joined by Henry Kippin, Chief Executive of the North East Combined Authority and one of the few professionals in the sector to have occupied senior positions in three MCAs . Through the lens of England's North East, they discuss...

In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike unpack the implications of the recent NAO report on St Helena's Airport for local economic development and devolution in the UK. They explore the lessons that can be dawn from the airport's business case and its proposed contribution to the island's financial self-sufficiency. Join them as they ask: how should we define sustainable growth a...

In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike unpack the UK Government's newly announced Plan for Neighbourhoods. They explore whether this initiative represents a genuine step change for local economic development or if it's merely a repackaging of the previous government's approach. They ask: how can we learn from past experience to maximise the impact of this programme? Join them as...

David and Mike explore Cambridge's tech-led economic development, its role as a global tech hub, and the challenges and opportunities of being a focus of national growth plans. Joined by Dan Thorp, CEO of Cambridge Ahead, they discuss lessons for other city regions and how non-governmental place champions like CA can effectively promote their success.

In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike explore the implications of the UK Government's announcement that defence spending will increase to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with a longer-term goal of 3%. Which regions will benefit most? And how should local economic development leaders and professionals respond to the resulting opportunities and challenges of this policy change? Tune in for insights...

David and Mike speak are joined by Ian Fytche, long-serving former CEO of North Kesteven District Council in Lincolnshire. They ask: will the current approach to local government reform take the ‘local’ out of local authorities in England? And how is placemaking impacted by scale and does it demand different types of leadership?

What is an AI Growth Zone in the UK? Should your area be making plans for one? And what does this latest flavour of economic zone say about the future of zonal policies and designations in Britain? Join David and Mike as they unpack the issues.

With its recent announcements of support for environmentally contentious projects like building a third runway at Heathrow Airport, has the UK Government struck the right balance between its economic growth and environmental priorities? And how can we manage any economic and environmental tensions and trade offs locally? In this short Espresso Shot episode David and Mike discuss the challenges loc...

In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike delve into the implications of Rachel Reeves' January 2025 growth plan for local economic development and regional disparities across the UK. They explore whether the measures announced will shift priorities for sub-national growth strategies and discuss the potential impacts on local decision-makers and professionals. Key topics include the Oxford...

How can local communities actively participate in and share the benefits of major government reforms and changes? Join David and Mike as they explore the pathways to inclusive innovation and participatory democracy with Kersten England, a champion of community empowerment. In this episode, they dive deep into the challenges and opportunities of ensuring local communities have a meaningful voice an...

In this Espresso Shot episode  David and Mike reflect on the growing chorus of high-profile criticism of the quality of UK official statistics and what this might mean for local economic development. They ask - what are the issues, and what are the consequences of this data crisis? How should sector professionals and local leadership teams respond?

In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike consider the absence of hard commitments to fiscal devolution in the UK Government's Devolution White Paper. Was the government right to exclude this? How long can local revenue raising remain off the table for England, with new tourist levies in the Pipeline for Scotland and Wales?  What options are available for those seeking to champion this agen...

In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike discuss the parameters of the upcoming local government reorganisation set out by the UK Government in its Devolution White Paper.  They ask: does a target size for English Unitary Authorities of 500k+ make any sense in economic development or placemaking terms? And how can local economic development and placemaking professionals contribute positively t...

Mike and David take to the LEDC crystal ball again as a new year beckons. What will be the key challenges and opportunities at the forefront of UK local economic development and placemaking in 2025? Could it be a year of bold progress for devolution? Will new strategic plans stick, and even if they do, how far can planning reform on its own fix broken housing markets? How far will global turmoil d...

David and Mike are joined by Richard Stubbs, CEO of Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber. They explore how health and economic agendas are co-dependent in creating healthy and prosperous local communities.

Mike and David give the local economic development and placemaking perspective on the UK Government's Get Britain Working White Paper ( GBWWP). What is its major significance for local and regional leadership teams? What does it mean for those working on England's Local Growth Plans?

Join David and Mike as they dive into England's local authority financial crisis with leading expert Jack Shaw. Hear about the new insights from recent research and the glimmers of hope for reform and recovery. Tune in for a must-listen discussion on the future of local governance and financial resilience. Read Jack's recent paper with Professor Andy Pike (also a former LEDC guest): ‘ The geograph...

David and Mike review proposals to extend MCA powers and responsibilities, as set out in the Public Services Reform and Devolution report by Sam Freedman and Labour Together.

In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike discuss the Green Paper consultation for the UK's new Industrial Strategy. What is it proposing, and how does this relate to what has gone before? How should local leaders respond?

In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike dissect the 2024 Autumn Budget Statement. Find out what it all means for economic development, devolution, and placemaking in the UK.

Can ‘Economics 101’ and radical incrementalism reshape local economic development? David and Mike explore this and more with Professor Henry Overman. Tune in for a deep dive into practical economic strategies and their impact on our cities and communities.

In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike discuss the work of the newly-formed New Towns Taskforce. Can it improve UK housing outcomes? And how should local leadership teams work with it?

In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike discuss South Yorkshire's success in attracting high value investments in SMR manufacturing for the nuclear industry and what other regions can learn from it