This report from UK think tank New Local looks at how we can celebrate, sustain and reimagine community centres. Community centres are a core and enduring part of the UK’s social infrastructure. They are hubs of social connection, stewards of health and wellbeing, vital partners in their local ecosystems and important physical assets that communities...

This report from UK think tank the Social Market Foundation examines the state of young people’s mental health in England. This briefing looks at case studies from the young people's charity #BeeWell in schools in Greater Manchester and Hampshire, showing further the importance of prioritising the wellbeing of students in our education system. Adolescent wellbeing...

This report from UK think tank Reform sets out policy ideas for a new kind of hyperlocal governance: a universal, capable, and empowered tier of Neighbourhood Councils. A wave of local government reorganisation and regional devolution is sweeping across England, fundamentally changing the face of the local State. And as this happens, the gap at...

This report from UK think tank RUSI profiles the direct engagement of UK local authorities with Chinese diplomats and local governments. There is substantial value to establishing a UK-wide framework that enables more effective local authority engagement with China. This paper profiles the direct engagement of UK local authorities with Chinese diplomats and local governments....

This report from UK think tank Localis looks at how the Local Power Plan can build on best practice and overcome local barriers to drive energy decarbonisation. Elected on a platform with strong emphasis on energy security and decarbonisation, the UK Government has set a goal of ‘clean power’ by 2030 and established Great British...

This report from UK think tank Reform identifies examples of best practice from across the UK that should inform the Government’s approach. The Government have been clear on the need to shift care decisively out of hospitals and into communities, facilitated by the creation of a new NHS – what they call a Neighbourhood Health...

This report from UK think tank City-REDI examines how funding mechanisms can be used to better address spatial inequalities. The aim of this review is to draw out lessons for England, and the UK more broadly, in terms of how funding mechanisms can be used to better address spatial inequalities. The review is based on...

This report from UK think tank the Future Governance Forum explores what an effective local digital ecosystem – bridging local and central government – could look like. Plans are in motion within the ‘digital centre’ of government to reshape the way central government works and delivers public services, reflecting a recognition of the power of...

This report from UK think tank IPPR sets out 10 recommendations which, if delivered, would see a measurable improvement in school inclusion. An alarming number of children are missing out on the social and educational benefits of school. A crisis of lost learning is sweeping across schools in England. Children cannot learn if they are...

This report from UK think tank the Constitution Unit provides a concise overview of the current situation and possible reforms in 31 areas. The Labour government came to power in 2024 proposing constitutional reforms in a number of areas. This followed a decade which often saw debates about constitutional topics arise. Some of the government's...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at making England’s ‘devolution revolution’ a reality. By May, over half of England’s population will live in an area covered by a metro mayor. The mayoral combined authorities (MCAs) they lead have already shown their capacity to take on responsibility for key local economic...

This report from UK think tank Carnegie UK measures collective wellbeing across the UK in 2024. Out of a possible score of 100, England’s collective wellbeing in 2024 was just 61. This number is the same as the overall UK wellbeing score, and, within England, remains unchanged since our inaugural publication of this index in...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Policy Research looks at the potential value of impact investment in achieving their policy goals. Both before and since the 2024 UK general election, politicians have been talking about the potential value of impact investment in achieving their policy goals. Despite this interest, and an increasing...

This report from UK think tank Reform sets out a practical roadmap for realising the full potential of Strategic Authorities by evolving them to become more decisive, accountable, and capable. England’s devolution agenda is at a turning point. A new generation of Strategic Authorities is being rolled out across the country. They are intended to...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at how local leaders and central government can successfully navigate the challenges of ‘dual delivery’. The government has launched an ambitious programme of local government reorganisation that will bring remaining two-tier areas in line with the unitary authority system that operates across most English...