This report from UK think tank the Institute of Welsh Affairs argues that businesses in Wales need clarity and flexibility to help make Levelling Up a success. Over six months on from the release of our first paper, What Does Levelling Up Mean for Wales?, the rollout of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda has increased...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at devolving more powers over spending to metro mayors will help leaders level up England.  The UK government must devolve fuller powers and greater flexibility over spending to metro mayors so that these local leaders can help level up England. The government rightly recognises...

This report from UK think tank Onward looks at realising the potential of England's mayors. The UK is one of the most centralised countries in the developed world and, despite the promises and rhetoric of successive Governments, this situation is getting worse rather than better. As well as being underpowered, regional and local government is...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at how a decade of cuts and rising demand for social care affected local services. England’s most deprived areas were hit by the largest local authority spending cuts during a decade of austerity. In a week in which elections are being held in 144...

This report from UK think tank CLES looks at the role of procurement in local economic development. This analysis was conducted by the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) for Manchester City Council as part of an ongoing partnership. The 14-year collaboration between CLES and Manchester City Council has helped to reshape the national debate...

This report from UK think tank New Local looks at the powers that councils and communities need to fix our broken planning system. It’s not NIMBYs preventing housing being built – it’s a system that creates conflict by design. Local planning authorities should be given the chance to let communities say Yes. Housing Beyond Markets...

This report from UK think tank CLES looks at a roadmap towards a more supportive, less fragmented framework for CAT.  Across the UK, land and property development drives the extraction of wealth from local economies. This joint report from CLES and URBED critically analyses the dynamics in local land development markets and explores alternative models...

This report from UK think tank Localis looks at planning for a clean and good growth future. There is perhaps no greater issue driving division in British politics than the serious gap between aspirations for home ownership and the malign effects of constrained supply. This situation, in which we don’t build or supply enough affordable...

This report from UK think tank New Local looks at the case for community-powered conservatism. New Local and the New Social Covenant Unit are pleased to co-publish this report by 10 Conservative MPs from the 2019 intake, making the case for community power as the future of the party. Trusting the People explores how to...

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at five questions about what the government means by the phrase 'levelling up'. The government’s flagship levelling up agenda lacks clear objectives, with policies often contradicting ministerial rhetoric about decentralising power. This report, published today alongside new analysis of how money was allocated from...