Labour market insights from online job postings in East Birmingham and North Solihull
This report from UK think tank City-REDI explores labour demand in East Birmingham & North Solihull (EBNS) by sector and major occupation group. This briefing uses online job postings data to explore labour demand in East Birmingham and North Solihull (EBNS) by sector and major occupation group. It also looks at how patterns of job...
The future of local democracy – devolution and the need to empower town and parish councils
This report from UK think tank City-REDI discusses the need to empower town and parish councils. Dr Amy Burnett (LPIP Place Fellow), Dr Jason Leman (Citizen Network) and Dr Daniel Ozarow (Middlesex University) examine how town and parish councils could play a central role in making devolution work for communities. This discussion paper was developed...
Community empowerment and living heritage in 2026: Community-owned culture and heritage in Local Growth Plans
This report from UK think tank City-REDI examines community empowerment and living heritage in 2026. Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill coming into action in the UK. The paper provides an initial provocation as to whether 2026 could provide the strongest mandate yet for valuing community culture and...
Business cases and place-based funding
This report from UK think tank City-REDI examines business cases and place-based funding. This report critically examines the application of the Better Business Case Green Book model by practitioners when seeking to secure past place-based economic development funding. The business case framework is used to appraise and manage the development of an intervention, as set...
Valuing what matters: Reclaiming social value for system change
This report from UK think tank City-REDI argues that social value must be reclaimed as a driver of system change. This policy brief argues that social value must be reclaimed as a driver of system change rather than reduced to compliance exercises. It outlines a stewardship approach across three dimensions – procurement, governance, and community...
Fertilising the soil for greater social impact
This report from UK think tank City-REDI outlines ways for supporting social value by building two-way relationships between universities and VCSEs. Universities can play a vital role in enhancing social value for the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. This report outlines four main ways for supporting social value by building two-way relationships between...
Collaborative innovation in employment policy: A Liverpool city region case study
This report from UK think tank City-REDI explores how the Liverpool City Region has sustained employment policy innovation. This policy briefing explores how the Liverpool City Region has sustained employment policy innovation across decades of national change. Drawing on programmes such as the City Strategy Pathfinder, Youth Employment Gateway, and Households into Work, it shows...
Understanding the UK’s rise in economic inactivity since 2020
This report from UK think tank City-REDI examines the UK's rise in economic inactivity since 2020. This research & policy briefing outlines the main findings from a two-year project Levelling Up Labour Supply funded by the Economic & Social Research Council’s UK In a Changing Europe (Award Ref. ES/X005828/2). The main focus of the paper...
Building winners: Strengthening the UK innovation ecosystem
This report from UK think tank City-REDI explores the structural, institutional and policy factors shaping the UK’s innovation ecosystem. This project, funded by the Innovation and Research Caucus (IRC), addresses that gap by exploring the structural, institutional, and policy factors shaping the UK’s innovation ecosystem. Through interviews with impactful innovators and innovation support bodies, the...
A long-term strategy for housing: Lessons learned on the role of institutions and governance
This report from UK think tank City-REDI reflects on lessons learned on the role of institutions and governance in housing strategy. The UK Government has announced a £39 billion funding package and five-stage plan for social and affordable housing in England, with a comprehensive 10-year strategy due in 2025. This report reflects on the housing...