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 Title Details Published English … Continue reading “Policy News – November 2025”
Data, Housing, Culture, Vibes: What I’m bringing to the LPIP Hub
Joseph Owen, Research Fellow from the University of Southampton, introduces the work he has planned during his place fellowship for the Local Policy Innovation Partnership Hub. View other introductory blogs from our Place Fellows. Hello! I’m Joseph Owen, a research fellow at the University of Southampton. I’m a literary scholar by training and temperament, but … Continue reading “Data, Housing, Culture, Vibes: What I’m bringing to the LPIP Hub”
Meet Kevin Fenning – Director, Evidence First, and LPIP Hub Fellow
About Me I am an economic and policy consultant who has spent the past 20 years working with local and national government, universities, colleges, and major private sector investment and infrastructure firms across the country. An economist by training, my work applies economic thinking to a wide range of public policy issues that affect places … Continue reading “Meet Kevin Fenning – Director, Evidence First, and LPIP Hub Fellow”
Breaking the ‘Pretty Poverty’ Myth in Cornwall: Why Rural Deprivation Remains Hidden from Policy
Professor Tanya Ovenden-Hope explores how Cornwall’s scenic beauty masks deep-rooted deprivation that the government measurement, the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2019, systematically underestimates. This blog discusses the findings of the Plymouth Marjon University, The Pretty Poverty Report: Cornwall Rurality Matters. The Problem of ‘Pretty Poverty’ Deprivation in Cornwall is not immediately evident, hidden behind … Continue reading “Breaking the ‘Pretty Poverty’ Myth in Cornwall: Why Rural Deprivation Remains Hidden from Policy”
Scaling Place-Based Innovation: Lessons From the WMREDI Partnership Model
The West Midlands Region Economic Development Institute (WMREDI), led by City-REDI, University of Birmingham, has been a transformative force in regional economic development. At its heart lies a unique partnership model—a collaborative framework that brought together universities, local authorities, businesses, and civic institutions to co-produce research, policy, and innovation. City-REDI is now leading the Local … Continue reading “Scaling Place-Based Innovation: Lessons From the WMREDI Partnership Model”
Placecast Podcast – Episode Eight – Dream Before You Think: Unlocking Civic Imagination for Social Change
Episode Eight of the Placecast Podcast dives deep into the power of place-based leadership and social entrepreneurship with guest Mark Swift, a social entrepreneur with over 15 years’ experience in health and care. Hosted by Nicola Headlam, the conversation explores how community-centred approaches can transform health outcomes, reduce demand on public services, and reconfigure system … Continue reading “Placecast Podcast – Episode Eight – Dream Before You Think: Unlocking Civic Imagination for Social Change”
Lessons for a Place-Based Green Industrial Policy in the UK
Ed Atkins makes the case for new climate policies that boost local and regional economies. Ed is a Place Fellow at the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub. This blog introduces the work he will be undertaking for the LPIP Hub. The UK government’s legal obligation to reach net zero by 2050 necessitates wholesale action. … Continue reading “Lessons for a Place-Based Green Industrial Policy in the UK”
Neighbouring Data: Three Reports on the Data Observatory
And Towns Research Fellow, Joseph Owen, outlines the work from the Neighbouring Data research project. This blog was first published on the And Towns website. Across three reports, Neighbouring Data has drawn together, animated, and analysed place-based data on pride, culture, heritage, health, and wellbeing. By analysing different types of quantitative, qualitative and creative data collected from … Continue reading “Neighbouring Data: Three Reports on the Data Observatory”
The Seven Essentials of Effective Place-Based Growth: Insights from the LPIP Hub Fringe Event
At the Labour Party Conference Fringe Event, hosted by the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub and the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place, a dynamic group of academics, policymakers, civic leaders, and elected officials came together to explore the future of place-based growth in the UK. The discussion was anchored around the … Continue reading “The Seven Essentials of Effective Place-Based Growth: Insights from the LPIP Hub Fringe Event “
Policy News – October 2025
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 … Continue reading “Policy News – October 2025”