Putting place at the heart of growth: How evidence can make multi-level governance work – findings from the event
Think tank: City-REDI
Author(s): Steve Barwick
October 21, 2026
This report from UK think tank City-REDI provides a summary from the ‘Putting place at the heart of growth’ event.
On 27 September 2026, the Labour Party Conference fringe event, Putting Place at the Heart of Growth: How Evidence Can Make Multilevel Governance Work, brought together policymakers, researchers, local government leaders, universities, colleges and organisations working across communities and regions.
This briefing provides a summary of the key points from the event.
The discussion highlighted the importance of stronger local institutions, distributed leadership, long-term investment strategies and effective collaboration between government, universities, businesses and communities.
Research also demonstrated that fiscal devolution alone will not reduce regional inequalities unless it is accompanied by adequate capacity-building, equalisation mechanisms and reforms to the way central government works with places.
Overall, the event reinforced a central message: place-based growth works best when policies reflect local strengths, local challenges and local opportunities. Whether through skills, innovation, transport, housing, health or economic development, places need both the freedom and the capability to design solutions that fit their circumstances while contributing to national priorities and long-term inclusive growth.
