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…

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 an…

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 ens…

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 avai…

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 …

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 bro…

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 GetBritain 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 An…

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

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 indust…

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, Executi…

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 ‘Householdsbelow 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 nextUK Government. In March 2024, the Labour Party published Powerand Partnership: Labour’s Plan to Power up Britain, and Rachel Reeves, the Shadow Chancellor, gave the MAISlecture.…

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 economistProfessor 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…

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 disc…

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/article…

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 …

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.

What were your key takeaways from 2023 for local economic development and placemaking? And what are you expecting for the coming months? Join David and Mike as they review their highlights and lowlights of 2023 and look ahead to what is sure to be another challenging year.

Have you ever wondered what we can learn about grappling with local economic development and placemaking from a 4,000 person island nestled in the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean? Prepare to be astounded and inspired as David and Mike find out in conversation with Susan O’Bey, Chief Secretary of St Helena, this remote, genuinely unique British Overs…

For their roundup of November 2023, David and Mike dissect announcements from the Autumn Statement on devolution and check in with UK policy on economic zones. They explore the pros and cons of the latest devolution deals, the emerging shape of Single Financial Settlements for Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, and the LED lessons from suppo…

Tom Forth is Head of Data at Open Innovations, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of The Data City. He is a high-profile writer on questions relating to UK industrial strategy, devolution, and regional inequalities in economic development. In this episode, David and Mike explore with Tom how innovations in the use of data science in economic d…

Join hosts David and Mike as they explore the pivotal role of business networks, like Chambers of Commerce, in shaping local economies with Staffordshire Chambers CEO Sara Williams OBE.

In this roundup of sector developments from October 2023, David and Mike dissect the UK's new Levelling Up and Regeneration Act, the National Infrastructure Commission's latest assessment of Britain's infrastructure needs, and 4-Day work week trials in local government.

In this roundup of sector developments from September 2023, David and Mike explore why the future of high speed rail, the precarious state local government finance, and mayors taking control of bus services in England are so important to the economic growth of places across the UK. What does Birmingham City Council effectively declaring bankruptcy …

Curious about what comes after Local Enterprise Partnerships in England? Join David and Mike for an exclusive chat with Chris Starkie, former CEO of New Anglia LEP, as they dissect the transition from LEPs to successor arrangements in local economic development. What challenges and opportunities face those being handed the baton?…