This report from UK think tank City-REDI argues that capacity-building is essential if English devolution is to reduce rather than deepen spatial inequalities. This policy brief argues that capacity-building is essential if English devolution is to reduce rather than deepen spatial inequalities. The authors find that current approaches lack a clear definition of capacity, are...

This report from UK think tank City-REDI argues that many of the challenges facing places are not thematic but systemic. Drawing together evidence from across the LPIP Hub programme, this report argues that many of the challenges facing places are not thematic but systemic. Whether the issue is skills, innovation, culture, communities or the environment,...

This report from UK think tank Centre for Cities focuses on good growth across the country. As the barriers to good growth vary across the country, local government – mayors and strategic authorities in particular – is best positioned to tailor interventions to local needs. Because of this, the devolution of powers and responsibilities that...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government explores how mayors and local leaders can create a shared vision for growth. Devolution will be central to delivering the government’s ambition of good growth in every postcode. The government has already committed to devolving further growth levers to mayors, including employment support, 16–19 education,...

This report from UK think tank Centre for Cities shows how the Government can design fiscal devolution for growth and fairness. Centre for Cities’ latest briefing shows how the Government can advance fiscal devolution while maximising growth, protecting those places with smaller tax bases from losing out, and costing nothing additional to the Treasury and...

This report from UK think tank the Policy Institute explores misperceptions of crime, race, religion and life in the UK capital. London has among the lowest violent crime rates of any region in England and Wales, tops a global ranking of best cities, and pays more in tax than it receives back in public spending...

This report from UK think tank Centre for Cities explores how Britain’s big cities can build more homes near train stations. Large British cities are missing millions of homes within their inner city ‘urban cores’ as they have lower densities than their international peers in France and Japan. The Government is right to change policy...

This report from UK think tank Centre for Cities explores how other G7 countries address geography in minimum wage policy. The UK has one of the highest minimum wages in the OECD. The National Living Wage is now £12.71 an hour, meeting the Government’s target of two-thirds of median national earnings. In previous research we...

This report from UK think tank CLES challenges conventional property-led regeneration and sets out a new approach to urban development. This publication challenges conventional property-led regeneration and sets out a new approach to urban development that delivers greater social, economic and environmental value for local communities. Using a free downloadable viability tool, it presents a...

This report from UK think tank Localis explores unlocking the value of heritage for local economies. Heritage connects the past, present and future of place. Historic buildings, landscapes, collections, skills, stories and traditions shape local identity while supporting employment, visitor economies, wellbeing and community life. Yet heritage remains too often confined to conservation or tourism...

This report from UK think tank Power to Change sets out a detailed roadmap for a new era of community ownership.  Community ownership is a proven, scalable driver of local economic renewal and resilient, connected communities. While political support has never been higher, demand for investment far outstrips supply, with the recent Community Right to...

This report from UK think tank the Fabian Society sets out ‘quick wins’ to ramp up the number of good quality homes built in the communities that need them. Since July 2024, the government has undertaken substantial, necessary reforms to tackle the housing crisis and get Britain building again. It has rightly set out a...

This report from UK think tanks Onward and the Centre for Policy Studies brings renewed focus to London’s housing crisis and the consequences of failing to address it. London is failing to build the homes it needs. In 2024/25, construction started on just 4,170 homes in the capital, even as the population grew by close...

This report from UK think tank Centre for Cities provides evidence to support the Government’s decision to advance fiscal devolution. In the 2026 Mais Lecture, the Chancellor announced a roadmap to fiscal devolution, including tax sharing of income tax to regional leaders across England. This briefing provides evidence to support the Government’s decision to advance...

This report from UK think tank Re:State sets out a practical but ambitious blueprint for devolving fiscal power in England. Just 5.8 per cent of national taxes are collected at the subnational level in the UK – the lowest share in the G7, and a fraction of France (20.4 per cent), Japan (36 per cent),...

As COP26 comes to a close what are some of the changes we can make in cities that can help with the net zero agenda? A greater uptake of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is required By Rebecca Foster (Bright Blue) The UK’s pledge to reach net zero by 2050 will ultimately require significant changes to the way...