LED Confidential

In this Espresso Shot episode for September '24 David and Mike dissect the UK Government's early decisions on local deals and new Combined Authorities. What do these say about its approach to devolution? Tune in and learn more!

David and Mike discuss spatial strategic planning and its imminent return to the centre stage of local economic development in England. They are joined by Catriona Riddell, one of the UK’s leading experts on the topic.

In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike discuss the system and policy changes coming down the track for infrastructure delivery in the UK and what they mean for local economic development

In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike explore the implications of the English Devolution Bill for local economic development across the UK

In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike  talk Local Growth Plans and the new requirement on Combined Authorities and devolution deal areas in England to produce them. How should local leadership teams approach writing them? Tune in and find out more!

David and Mike discuss the 'Medellin Miracle' with Professor Ana Ortega of the city's EAFIT University. How much of this Colombian regional capital's ‘City of Eternal Spring’ strapline is PR, and how much is rooted in a model of inclusive innovation from which we all can learn?

With the results of the UK General Election now in, David and Mike discuss the significant implications for local economic development and placemaking of the change in government. They look ahead to Labour’s first set-piece policy event as the governing party: the King's Speech. What can the sector expect for planning reform, devolution, and industrial strategy? Tune in to find out!

With increasing reports of universities in crisis, what does the future hold for these important local and regional anchor institutions? How can they work with higher education 'cold spots' in cities and towns to extend provision, and what does the sector want from the next UK government? David and Mike, discuss with guest Dr Peter O’Brien, Executive Director of Yorkshire Universities.

What does the UK General Election mean for the future of economic development and placemaking in the country? As the sector contemplates a major change in national policy direction, David and Mike set out the key questions for those seeking office.

Why are so many high streets across Britain struggling to thrive as economic centres? How can how can public policy and local leadership transform these once proud places into engines of future prosperity? David and Mike explore this political hot potato with leading urban regeneration expert John Houghton.

In the last of the Espresso Shots for May 2024, David and Mike examine the concerning rise in economic inactivity rates across the UK and what this means for local economies and communities. How can they respond? Tune in to find out!

For their May 2024 Espresso Shot LEDC episode, David and Mike explore the value local leadership teams can gain from refreshing their strategic approaches ahead of the next UK General Election.

David and Mike explore what the May 2024 local election results mean for economic development and devolution of governance in the UK

David and Mike discuss the March 2024 Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) publication of ‘Households below average income’ (HBAI) statistics (often referred to as ‘poverty statistics’) and what they tell us about the state of poverty and inequality in the UK today.

David and Mike unpack what is currently known about the Labour Party’s planned approach to local economic development and placemaking should it form the next UK Government.   In March 2024, the Labour Party published Power and Partnership: Labour’s Plan to Power up Britain , and Rachel Reeves, the Shadow Chancellor, gave the MAIS lecture .

David and Mike dissect the findings and recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee's report into the UK Government's three showcase 'Levelling Up' funds.

David and Mike are joined by leading spatial economist Professor Philip McCann for a wide-ranging discussion on the UK's growing regional economic inequalities. Philip draws on his decades of cutting-edge research and experience from around the world to analyse what's gone wrong - and how we can put it right. Tune in to hear his insights on regional divergence, devolution and the data gaps...

David and Mike discuss how far the UK Government’s £4.7bn announcement of transport investment for the North and Midlands mitigates cancellation of HS2 beyond Birmingham.

On February 13th, the UK Government announced a further elaboration of their 2023 Long-Term Plan for Housing. “ Every council in England will be told that they will need to prioritise brownfield developments and instructed to be less bureaucratic and more flexible in applying policies that halt housebuilding on brownfield land.  “ David and Mike discuss what all this means for LEDC listeners, thei...

With think tank New Local publishing a paper calling for 'Total Place 2.0', David and Mike revisit their recollections of ‘Total Place 1.0' – the place based budgeting pilots of the Blair-Brown government. They consider why it remains a compelling idea, albeit with some very practical challenges. New Local paper: https://www.newlocal.org.uk/articles/total-place-2-0-video-john-denham/

In this episode David and Mike are joined by Alex Hiniker, Director of the Sustainability Initiative at Carnegie Mellon University and facilitator of the first ever Voluntary Local Review (VLR) of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), completed for New York City. Learn more about how the SDGs and the mechanism of the VLR can be an important and relevant driver for LED and placemaking.

LEDC's final Espresso Shot for February...David and Mike pitch their Budget for local economic development

LEDC's second Espresso Shot for February 2024...With the publication of Cities Outlook 2024 by the Centre for Cities, David and Mike ask: do think tank reports contribute to ‘analysis paralysis’, or can they be made operationally relevant?

In their first Espresso Shot episode of February 24, Mike and David explore the under-appreciated role of the Public Works Loan Board in the recent financial difficulties of English councils

David, Mike, and Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett discuss the 'Salford Way' in this special episode. They talk inclusive economic growth, the mayoral model, and collaboration across Greater Manchester. Discover how Salford embraces its heritage as a cultural and industrial pioneer.