Growth and Reform Network - Smart Thinking

Launched in 2025, the Growth and Reform Network is an ambitious new initiative building on the legacy of the Centre for Progressive Policy, in partnership with the Future Governance Forum and Metro Dynamics.

Our mission is to bridge the gap between national policy development and implementation at the local and regional levels. We bring together mayors, local leaders and practitioners with national policymakers to develop the innovative ideas, policy and practice to drive local growth and reform.

We provide support for impactful policy development and practical delivery, working with Network members across the UK. We are evidence-led, non-partisan and mission-focused. Our Network brings together both combined and local authorities, and works as an intermediary with national policymakers to develop and test new ideas. We are open for new members from across the UK.

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Latest reports

Healthy places, inclusive growth: Realising the potential of devolution

This report from UK think tank the Growth and Reform Network looks at how national policy can help realise the potential of devolution. Population health is currently a major policy concern in the UK. At an individual level, health is a fundamental precursor to economic participation, and poor health has consistently been recognised as a...

CPP’s Local Economy Tracker 2023

This report from UK think tank The Centre for Progressive Policy explores how people feel about the economic opportunities where they live. CPP’s annual Local Economy Tracker explores how people feel about the economic opportunities where they live, what they think needs to change and which political parties and tiers of government they trust the...

Funding fair growth

This report from UK think tank the Centre for Progressive Policy sets out how a future government could drive transformative change. CPP’s Funding fair growth report reveals the stark cost of maintaining public services at current levels over the next parliament and sets out how a future government could drive transformative change. Our analysis shows...

Leave in the lurch

This report from UK think tank the Centre for Progressive Policy looks at paternity leave, gender equality and the UK economy. CPP has joined forces with campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed (PTS) and Women in Data® to publish new research on the societal and economic impact of paternity leave. The report looks at public attitudes...

Open for business

This report from UK think tank the Centre for Progressive Policy looks at unlocking investment in low-earning economies. Analysis by CPP in its new report, Open for Business, identifies 95 'pockets of potential' – hotspots of highly productive local industry across eight sectors based in 72 underperforming local economies. CPP estimates that if the areas...

Replenishing our roots

This report from UK think tank the Centre for Progressive Policy looks at how the government can improve health and productivity across the population. A new report by the Centre for Progressive Policy (CPP) sets out how the government can improve health and productivity across the population with a focus on health prevention. Our previous...

Growing pains

This report from UK think tank the Centre for Progressive Policy looks at the economic costs of a failing childcare system. A new report from economics thinktank the Centre for Progressive Policy (CPP) lays bare the economics costs of the lack of accessible, affordable childcare in the UK, as pressure grows for action on childcare...

Crumbling foundations

This report from UK think tank the Centre for Progressive Policy looks at the impact of failing public services on health and productivity. New analysis by the Centre for Progressive Policy (CPP) highlights the impact in lost life years and years of good health of socioeconomic inequalities in employment, income, education, crime and housing. It...

Hard up

This report from UK think tank the Centre for Progressive Policy looks at how rising prices are hitting different places, and how they can respond. Different areas across the country experience crises differently. Underlying social and economic vulnerabilities play a significant role, but so too do the powers and resources that different areas can draw...

Women in the labour market

This report from UK think tank the Centre for Progressive Policy looks at boosting mothers’ employment and earnings through accessible childcare. As part of the Centre for Progressive Policy’s (CPP) Women in the Labour Market programme, this report explores how inadequacies in the childcare systems act as a barrier to women’s participation in the labour...

The levelling up outlook #4

This report from UK think tank the Centre for Progressive Policy looks at the levelling up outlook in adult social care reforms. This is CPP's fourth levelling up outlook tracking the country’s progress in reducing economic inequalities in the context of the ongoing crisis. We are using the latest official statistics and other reliable data...

Driving growth and shared prosperity

This report from UK think tank the Centre for Progressive Policy looks at prioritising social investment in education, health and local communities. CPP and NRG have produced a new research paper which makes detailed policy suggestions to deliver levelling up and create opportunities for all. The report calls on the Government to prioritise social investment...

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