This blog summarises the latest policy news that is important to place, including reports, inquiries, consultations, government research and events. It is updated every week. View previous editions.
If you have a piece of research that you would like to be featured in Policy News, please get in touch.
UK Government Inquiries
| Title | Details | Deadline |
| Call for Evidence from the Business and Trade Committee | Focusing on priorities around the topic of economic growth. | The deadline for submissions is 14 November 2025. |
UK Government
| Title | Details | Published |
| Policy paper: Post-16 education and skills white paper | Post-16 education and skills reforms to develop a skilled workforce and break down barriers to opportunity. | October 2025 |
| UK regions given extra £20 million science and tech cash boost as new investment kicks off landmark growth summit | Press release from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology | October 2025 |
| Annual report on English devolution 2024 to 2025 | Policy paper from the Secretary of State. | October 2025 |
| Innovation Clusters Map: summary and methods | The Innovation Clusters Map is a tool developed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to support the UK’s ambition to foster regional innovation and drive economic growth. | October 2025 |
| Local Innovation Partnerships Fund: Earmarked Strand | Funding opportunity. Closing date 3rd Feb 2026. | October 2025 |
| Pride in Place Strategy | Policy paper from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The Pride in Place Strategy aims to help build stronger communities, create thriving places and empower local people. | September 2025 |
Other reports
| Title | Details | Published |
| How productive are the UK’s big cities? | Report from Centre for Cities | October 2025 |
| Scottish Social Attitudes | 25 years of devolution in Scotland Public attitudes and reactions | Report from the National Centre for Social Research | October 2025 |
| Rural Futures | Report from the Fabian Society | October 2025 |
| Inclusive Growth in the West Midlands | Report from the West Midlands Combined Authority | October 2025 |
| Reorganising district councils and local public services: options and challenges | How should councils approach local government reorganisation? Report from the Institute for Government | September 2025 |
| Pretty Poverty Report: Cornwall Rurality Matters | Report from Plymouth Marjon University | September 2025 |
| Understanding Communities: Final Report | Report from the British Academy | September 2025 |
| Impactful Devolution 03: A toolkit for regional growth and industrial strategy | Report from the Future Governance Forum | September 2025 |
| Public spending in local areas | Briefing from the House of Commons Library | September 2025 |
| A Nation of Neighbours | This is the first report of Nation of Neighbours – a year-long programme led by cross-party think tank Demos and the UCL Policy Lab, supported by Lloyds Bank Foundation. | September 2025 |
| Local Decline and Populism | Working paper from researchers at the University of Warwick | July 2024 |
Events
| Title | Details | Date |
| Reimagining New Towns | An event by the Productivity Institute, about delivering growth and place-making for 21st-century England | Monday, November 10, 5 – 6:30pm GMT – In-person. |
| Up Close and Policy: Spatial Inequalities and Place-Based Solutions | Reimagining place-based policy with local lessons for global impact with UCL, North East Combined Authority and the OECD | Tuesday, January 20, 2026 · 1 – 2pm GMT – Online. |
| Webinar on Revitalising Britain’s High Streets | Event by Public Policy Exchange | Tuesday, October 21st 2025 |
Find out more about the Local Policy Innovation Partnership Hub. If you have a piece of research that you would like to be featured in Policy News, please get in touch.
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this analysis post are those of the authors and not necessarily those of City-REDI or the University of Birmingham.