This blog summarises the latest policy news that is important to place, including reports, inquiries, consultations, government research and events. Reports from Academics and Think Tanks Title Details Published Checking out: The varying performance of high streets across the country This report identifies four key reasons why high street vacancy rates vary so much … Continue reading “Policy News – July 2025”
Category: Policy
Policy News – June 2024
This blog summarises the latest policy news that is important to place, including reports, inquiries, consultations, government research and events. Reports from Academics and Think Tanks Title Details Published Build to Rent: Patterns in growth and geography This briefing from the Centre for Cities examines the growing role of Build to Rent (BtR) … Continue reading “Policy News – June 2024”
City-REDI Roundup – May 2025
This blog summarises the reports City-REDI have put out in May 2025. Catch up on all the latest reports and projects in one place. Revealed: How much the US-UK trade deal will save the UK economy from Trump tariffs Research Fellows Dr Matthew Lyons and Huanjia Ma have been quoted in The Independent for their … Continue reading “City-REDI Roundup – May 2025”
City-REDI Roundup – April 2025
This blog summarises the reports City-REDI have put out in April 2025. Catch up on all the latest reports and projects in one place. Funding Local Areas – What does the English public think about changes in how funds are allocated to local government? Findings from a Citizen Engagement Workshop. In February 2025, 43 public … Continue reading “City-REDI Roundup – April 2025”
West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 3 April 2025
Concerns about geopolitical risks and further fragmentation of the global economy are leading to policy uncertainty and a weakening of business and consumer sentiment. In the Spring Statement the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer announced welfare reforms and civil service cost cuts, alongside an increase in defence spending. Businesses and households are facing increasing bills … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 3 April 2025”
West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 30 January 2025
In the first 2025 edition of the West Midland’s Impact Monitor, President Trump re-entered the White House as the 47th President of the USA in January 2025. The Trump presidency is expected to foster a more protectionist trade environment. Renewed trade hostilities could disrupt global commerce, create supply chain bottlenecks and most likely increase costs … Continue reading “West Midlands Economic Impact Monitor – 30 January 2025”
Rail Nationalisation – Real Policy Change or Just Ideology?
The UK Labour Government’s plan to renationalise train operating companies aims to gradually transition them to state control as contracts expire, but this move is more a continuation of existing trends than a radical shift. Professor Donald Houston, Dr Magda Cepeda-Zorrilla and Dr Sara Hassan look at the core challenges facing British railways. The UK … Continue reading “Rail Nationalisation – Real Policy Change or Just Ideology?”
Project Spotlight: Socio-Economic Impact Model for the UK (SEIM-UK)
In a new series of blogs, we will be reviewing the current and historical work of City-REDI and WMREDI. In the first blog from this series, we look at SEIM-UK, an economic model that City-REDI has used to assess the economic impact of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the impact of Council tax cuts, and help … Continue reading “Project Spotlight: Socio-Economic Impact Model for the UK (SEIM-UK)”
Rethinking Regional Policy: Embracing the Capability Approach (Key Learnings From Maria Abreu’s Seminar)
In the realm of regional policy, there exists a conventional approach which focuses on resources and life satisfaction. However, a more inclusive and pluralistic perspective, known as the capability approach, has gained popularity. Though commonly implemented in small-scale projects, it has the potential to revolutionize regional policy. In this blog, Sara Hassan writes about Maria’s … Continue reading “Rethinking Regional Policy: Embracing the Capability Approach (Key Learnings From Maria Abreu’s Seminar)”
The 15-Minute City: Good Urban Planning or an Attack on Personal Freedoms?
At the recent Conservative Party Conference, the 15-minute city was highlighted as an attack on personal freedom. In this blog, Magda Cepeda-Zorrilla looks at what a 15-minute city is, gives examples of where it’s been implemented and whether it might restrict people’s freedom. The Department for Transport (DfT) recently released the Plan for Drivers document, … Continue reading “The 15-Minute City: Good Urban Planning or an Attack on Personal Freedoms?”