inclusive growth

Re-skilling places: A new approach for reducing regional inequalities

By Eric Lybeck Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Devo, Education, Growth and Inclusion, Inclusive Growth, Levelling up Posted: October 5, 2023

Current models of education and social mobility take an individualist approach that encourage young people from rural areas and small towns to move to city centres to obtain qualifications and skills. But this approach worsens regional inequalities, as places outside of urban centres are left behind. In this article, from our Power in Place publication, […]

Levelling up or widening the gap?

By Christine Camacho and Luke Munford Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Cities and Environment, Levelling up, UK economy Posted: May 3, 2023

There are deep-rooted regional inequalities in health and wealth across England. ‘Levelling Up’ is the UK Government’s flagship policy to redress these inequalities through additional investment, with the Community Renewal Fund (CRF) one strand of this funding. In this article, Christine Camacho and Dr Luke Munford examine the allocation of the first round of the […]

Sustainability transitions: catalysing innovation in the foundational economy for a green and just future

By Usman Aziz, Elvira Uyarra and Jo Mylan Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Energy and Environment, Growth and Inclusion, UK economy, Urban Posted: January 23, 2023

The UK is making progress to achieve net zero, with the latest findings indicating that UK emissions in 2021 fell below 2019 levels. These efforts, however, are still identified as insufficient for fulfilling the Paris Agreement. To lead the way towards a green and just future, regional and urban areas are developing ambitious strategies to […]

Turning gadgets into productivity

By Bart van Ark Filed Under: All posts, Digital Futures, Growth and Inclusion, Inclusive Growth, Levelling up, OnProductivity, Science and Technology, UK economy Posted: December 13, 2022

The Industrial Revolution brought about great economic success in the north of the United Kingdom that translated into a social, cultural and urban transformation. However, the Digital Revolution of today has not had the same impact on the UK, and particularly, the north. In this blog, Professor Bart van Ark explores how and why productivity […]

The UK productivity-governance puzzle

By Dave Richards, Patrick Diamond and Anna Sanders Filed Under: British Politics, Devo, Growth and Inclusion, Inclusive Growth, Levelling up, OnProductivity Posted: December 2, 2022

The productivity issue in the UK is often framed as an issue driven by economic outcomes. This idea neglects some of the more complex structures that exist and contribute to the economic gaps in the UK. Professor Dave Richards, Professor Patrick Diamond and Dr Anna Sanders outline how government policy in the UK is too […]

Local employment charters: re-defining productivity with employers?

By Ceri Hughes Filed Under: Growth and Inclusion, Inclusive Growth, OnProductivity Posted: November 11, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the harsh reality of insecure working conditions that many workers – particularly those in the front line – are subject to. Good employment charters are one way to ensure the security of good work. Implementing good employment charters in local policy agendas can increase productivity and develop more […]

How public procurement can influence innovation, productivity and societal challenges

By Elvira Uyarra Filed Under: All posts, Growth and Inclusion, OnProductivity, UK economy Posted: August 9, 2022

The public sector is an extremely influential buyer in the market. Through public procurement, the government can influence productivity in various ways. It can develop and scale up productivity-enhancing innovations, and it can reward more innovative suppliers by shaping markets and amplifying innovative practices and technologies. Her applicable policy recommendations focus on improving poignance of […]

The case for a guaranteed basic income pilot in Greater Manchester

By Anthony Rafferty and Alex Macdougall Filed Under: All posts, Growth and Inclusion, Inclusive Growth, UK economy Posted: July 27, 2022

While the COVID-19 pandemic and current cost of living crisis has exacerbated social inequalities and economic insecurity, it has also opened a window of opportunity to explore new forms of policy innovation to build back a fairer and more economically secure society. In this blog and in a new report for the Work and Equalities […]

Creativity, industry and devolved responsibility: how local industrial strategies can support levelling up

By Abigail Gilmore Filed Under: All posts, Growth and Inclusion, Levelling up Posted: July 21, 2022

Local creative and cultural industries strategies can play a key role in devolution policy, and understanding the differences and nuances of local industrial strategies helps inform policymakers looking at cultural and creative industries-led ‘levelling up’. Ultimately, policy should be shaped by local strategy and regional identity as much as national goals. This blog raises policy […]

LGBT+ inequalities in adolescent wellbeing

By Neil Humphrey Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Growth and Inclusion Posted: June 21, 2022

Improving wellbeing in every area of the UK is the overarching ambition of the Levelling Up White Paper, and government has said it will undertake further work to supplement existing wellbeing data at a subnational level. In Greater Manchester, a community-led, hyper-local project is underway to understand and improve children and young people’s wellbeing, and […]