Policy News highlights the latest reports, inquiries, consultations and research shaping local and regional policy across the UK. Explore key developments in devolution, economic growth, community ownership, skills and place-based policymaking. View previous editions. If you have a piece of research you would like to feature in Policy News, please get in touch. UK Government and … Continue reading “Policy News – July 2026”
Author: Stuart Mitchell
Placecast Episode 19: Why UK Local Economic Policy Keeps Failing
In this episode of Placecast, presenter Nicola Headlam is joined by Glenn Athey, a freelance consultant and LPIP Fellow with over 31 years of experience in economic development. Glenn brings a forensic and refreshingly candid lens to one of the most persistent problems in UK public policy: why decades of place-based economic interventions have repeatedly … Continue reading “Placecast Episode 19: Why UK Local Economic Policy Keeps Failing”
Meet LPIP Place Fellow Andrew Reeves: Focussed on Civic Universities and Place-Based Climate Action
About Me How do we make a positive difference to big environmental challenges like the climate crisis within the specific communities where we live and work together? Broadly speaking, this is the question I’ve been grappling with for 20+ years through a wide range of voluntary projects and more recently as an academic, currently working … Continue reading “Meet LPIP Place Fellow Andrew Reeves: Focussed on Civic Universities and Place-Based Climate Action”
Placecast Episode 18: Community-Driven Economic Growth in Wales
In Episode 18 of Placecast, Nicola Headlam interviews Professor Calvin Jones, a LPIP Hub Place Fellow working on sustainability and regional economics in Wales. The discussion explores how devolved governance in Wales is evolving, particularly in areas such as fiscal powers, wellbeing policy, and green transition. Cavlin argues that traditional growth-led economic models are failing … Continue reading “Placecast Episode 18: Community-Driven Economic Growth in Wales”
Placecast Episode 17: Trust and Place-Based Innovation
In this episode of Placecast, presenter Dr Gerardo Javier Arriaga-Garcia is joined by Nina Ruddle and Sophie Cloutterbuck to explore what really enables innovation to take root in places as different as North Wales and London. Together, they argue that successful place-based development is not driven primarily by infrastructure or investment, but by relationships, trust … Continue reading “Placecast Episode 17: Trust and Place-Based Innovation”
Policy News – June 2026
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 you would like to feature in Policy News, please get in touch. Reports Title Details Published Everything in its right place: Establishing … Continue reading “Policy News – June 2026”
Placecast Episode 16: Beyond Publications: Building Research Careers That Matter
In this episode of PlaceCast, Rebecca Riley talks to Dr Conor O’Carroll about how research careers need to evolve to better support place-based policy and real-world impact. Dr O’Carroll argues that traditional academic pathways, particularly the PhD as a route into academia, are no longer fit for purpose, with most researchers working beyond universities. The … Continue reading “Placecast Episode 16: Beyond Publications: Building Research Careers That Matter”
Policy News – May 2026
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 you would like to feature in Policy News, please get in touch. UK Parliament Title Details Published / Deadline HM Treasury and … Continue reading “Policy News – May 2026”
Placecast Episode 15: Data, Devolution and Delivery
In the latest episode of Placecast, host Dr Nicola Headlam is joined by Richard Jeffery, National Director at GC Insight and long‑standing leader in local economic development, and Nathan Shoesmith, Economic Consultant at GC Insight, specialising in data‑driven economic development and place‑based strategy. Together, they explore a deceptively simple question with profound implications for policy … Continue reading “Placecast Episode 15: Data, Devolution and Delivery”
Placecast Episode 14: Power, Trust, and Community Organising in Birmingham
How do communities move from being consulted to being genuinely heard? What does it take to turn knowledge into influence, and influence into action? And what happens when universities, civil society and local leaders commit to working together over the long term rather than through short-term projects? In this episode of Placecast, we explore these … Continue reading “Placecast Episode 14: Power, Trust, and Community Organising in Birmingham”