Across the UK, people working in local policy, delivery, research, and community leadership are all grappling with increasingly complex challenges, from capacity constraints and rising service demand to fragmented data, regulatory pressures, and the need to respond quickly to local needs. Yet despite these shared pressures, each group experiences the policy ecosystem differently. To support … Continue reading “Understanding Our Users: Launching the LPIP Hub’s New Personas”
The Green Book 2026 Update
This month, HM Treasury released an updated version of the Green Book following the 2025 Green Book review. The 2025 Green Book review consulted a wide range of organisations and individuals, including combined authorities, local authorities, central government departments and arms-length bodies, devolved governments, think tanks, consultancies and academics, including researchers from within the LPIP … Continue reading “The Green Book 2026 Update”
Policy Innovate – 5 March 2026
Welcome to the latest edition of Policy Innovate. Policy Innovate aims to gather and disseminate the work of the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) programme and wider relevant research to provide evidence on building confidence, capacity, and capability in an effective service-driven approach to place-based policy-making and public service delivery. The LPIP Hub seeks to address … Continue reading “Policy Innovate – 5 March 2026”
Three Lessons for Place-Based Green Industrial Policy
Dr Ed Atkins explores three examples of the place-based implications of net zero as a process of industrial change. This blog is based on a recent report by Dr Atkins – Developing place-based green industrial policy in the UK. The UK government’s legal obligation to reach net zero by 2050 demands significant, long-term action. Reducing … Continue reading “Three Lessons for Place-Based Green Industrial Policy”
Meet Helen O’Gara, Public Health Professional, Local Charity Leader and LPIP Hub Place Fellow
I am a public health practitioner in a local authority, a charity leader in a small town and, at heart, a community development creative practitioner. I have been a youth worker both in local authority and the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector. I have been an artist, recruited for a purpose to bring to … Continue reading “Meet Helen O’Gara, Public Health Professional, Local Charity Leader and LPIP Hub Place Fellow”
Placecast Episode 11: How Yorkshire Is Rewiring Civic–Academic Collaboration: A Conversation with Kersten England
In the latest episode of Placecast, Dr Nicola Headlam sits down with one of the UK’s most respected place‑based leaders: Kersten England, former Chief Executive of Bradford and York, Chair of the Young Foundation, and Co‑Investigator on the Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership (YPIP). Across a rich, wide‑ranging conversation, Kersten reflects on her 30‑year career in … Continue reading “Placecast Episode 11: How Yorkshire Is Rewiring Civic–Academic Collaboration: A Conversation with Kersten England”
Evidence Review Sets Out Principles for Successful Place-Based Research Partnerships
I recently co-led a review with Dr Vicky Ward from the University of St Andrews that explores what makes place-based research partnerships work, and where the evidence still falls short. These partnerships are increasingly seen as vital for tackling complex local challenges, but understanding what truly drives success is less clear. In our review, we … Continue reading “Evidence Review Sets Out Principles for Successful Place-Based Research Partnerships”
Policy News – February 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 Government Title Details Date Pride in Place: 40 neighbourhoods … Continue reading “Policy News – February 2026”
Beyond the “Productivity Miracle”: What the Data Really Tell Us About Northern Cities
In recent weeks, claims of a “productivity miracle” in some of the UK’s northern cities have sparked lively debate (which I have been part of!). New subregional productivity data appears to show that places like Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and others have dramatically outpaced national trends since 2019, but with a very specific high jump in … Continue reading “Beyond the “Productivity Miracle”: What the Data Really Tell Us About Northern Cities”
From Glossaries to Ground Game: What “Innovation” Really Means for Places, and Why the LPIP Matters
Innovation isn’t a glossary term—it’s the practical work of turning ideas into value for people and places. In this blog, Gerardo J. Arriaga‑Garcia explores how the LPIP programme helps move innovation from theory to meaningful impact. If you work in policy, you’ve seen the glossaries: tidy lists of “innovation” terms presented as if they live … Continue reading “From Glossaries to Ground Game: What “Innovation” Really Means for Places, and Why the LPIP Matters”