Fiscal Devolution and Place Investment: Will It Unlock Growth Everywhere and Redistribute Prosperity?
The Chancellor’s Growth Plan commits to “unlocking growth in every part of Britain”, and Andy Burnham has highlighted the same direction of travel in his speech on 29th June. The government has promised a Treasury roadmap for fiscal devolution, including, for the first time, looking at income tax alongside other taxes. But will these reforms […]
Addressing Local Economic Disparities: Learning From Policy Failure in the UK
This report examines why, after more than four decades of national policy, the UK remains one of the most interregionally unequal countries in the industrialised world. Drawing on the academic discipline of policy failure, it applies a common framework to eight major UK instruments – from the Regional Development Agencies to the Levelling Up Fund […]
Communities in Their Places Evidence Review
The LPIP Hub “Communities in their Places” evidence review shows that while communities are central to addressing local economic, social and environmental challenges, their ability to do so varies widely depending on policy frameworks, resources and local capacity. It highlights that “community” is a complex, overlapping concept, but strong social networks, infrastructure and trust are […]
Towards A Place-Based Qualitative Data Observatory
This research briefing responds to Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub work on data devolution, transparency, and place productivity. Building on this existing research, it argues that current UK data infrastructures do not yet accommodate the heterogeneous forms of qualitative data on which local, regional and national policymakers increasingly rely. To meet the demands of […]
Outside-In: The Role of Social Entrepreneurs in Public Sector Transformation
This policy paper explores the role of social entrepreneurs as “outside-in” actors in public sector transformation. It argues that, in a period of profound institutional transition, public systems need to learn not only from within formal structures but also from actors operating at their boundaries. The briefing examines how social entrepreneurs generate practice-based learning, test […]
Building Intergovernmental Capability Through Secondments: Lessons From Japan for the UK
This policy briefing explores how England’s devolution reforms could work more effectively by using staff secondments as a core part of the delivery system. Drawing on lessons from Japan’s structured, legally grounded approach, it shows how predictable and reciprocal staff movement can strengthen local capability, improve coordination across government tiers, and connect national policy design […]
Policy Fragmentation and Place-Based Opportunity in UK Fashion and Textiles
This report analyses the positioning of the UK fashion and textiles sector within national, devolved and local policy frameworks to assess its capacity to operate as a stable, place-based economic system that supports skills retention, inclusive growth and regional resilience. Using fashion and textiles as a case study for the Local Policy Innovation Partnership Hub, […]
AI in Local Government: Adoption, Benefits and Challenges
This report provides a timely stocktake of how artificial intelligence is being adopted in local government, what benefits are emerging, and what barriers still limit its wider deployment. It draws on analysis of 101 published AI case studies and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, from local and central government, government agencies, academia, and […]
Skills for the Future: Demand for and Supply of High-Skilled Labour Across England
This study maps employer demand for higher-level qualifications (at Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 4 and above), the supply of residents with these qualifications, and the resulting demand-supply gaps across England’s 38 Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) areas (as defined in 2023). It combines online vacancy data and official labour market sources to examine patterns […]
Dialling Up Democracy in the 21st Century: Pathways for Renewal
This policy working paper explores how democratic innovation can help renew trust, participation, and legitimacy in the UK’s democratic system. Building on earlier LPIP work on social value and community-centred innovation, it examines the social, institutional, and structural pressures currently facing democracy, particularly in the context of devolution and regional governance. Drawing on UK and […]