LED Confidential: Recent Episodes
LED Confidential
Podcast about local economic development and placemaking. Co-hosted by Mike Spicer of PolicyDepartment and David Marlow of Third Life Economics. Mike, David and guests address the divisive, often unspoken issues facing economic development professionals in 2020s Britain.
David and Mike are joined by John Denham—former UK Government Minister and present Director of the Centre for English Identity and Politics—to unpack the rise of English identity politics and its limplications for place-based inclusive growth in the country. From the imitations of current devolution strategies to the transformative potential of Total Place 2.0, LEDC explores how local leaders can build cohesive communities in an era of fragmentation. Expect insights on neighbourhood governance, multiculturalism, the importance of the everyday economy, and a call for long term vision in both national and local policy.
John Denham's Substack: https://nationstateandpolitics.substack.com/
In this episode David and Mike unpack the demographic shifts reshaping local economies. From the Bank of England’s warning on economic inactivity to the ONS’s mid-year population estimates and the so-called fertility crisis, the data paints a complex picture of ageing populations, challenges of out-migration in places, and worryingly low rates of labour market participation. How might transport policy, spatial planning, and extending access to further education reverse economic decline and better support people into work?
In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike explore the growing political instability reshaping local economic development and placemaking in the UK. With the Reform Party gaining ground, over 40% of English councils now in no overall control, and local government distracted by the looming reorganisation, what does this mean for forward planning, community cohesion, and officer-led decision making? From the Royal Geographical Society’s reflections to grassroots business networks stepping into the void, LEDC unpacks how practitioners are navigating uncertainty, rebuilding strategy from the ground up, and finding opportunity in hyper-localism.
In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike return from the 2025 summer break to unpack the major shake-up at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). With Angela Rayner’s resignation and a new ministerial team in place, they explore what these changes could mean for local economic development and placemaking in the UK. What impact will new appointments like Steve Reed and Miatta Fahnbulleh have on housing, planning, and devolution agendas? And how can local leaders and practitioners influence policy and delivery as the sector enters a critical phase of reform? Tune in for expert insights and practical reflections on the evolving landscape.
Bonus Biscotti Briefing on this topic available for download here on the LEDC website: https://www.ledconfidential.co.uk/post/what-do-the-major-changes-at-mhclg-mean-for-uk-led-and-placemaking
What inspires transformation when the policy treadmill slows? And how can science fiction, cinema, and Nokia guide your next move?
Can NHS reform be a catalyst for local economic renewal? Or will institutional churn stall the promise of community health?
In this episode, David and Mike are joined by Paul Swinney to explore the UK’s new industrial strategy. They ask: does it finally embrace a place-based model of economic development? And can it tackle the UK’s long-standing productivity challenge? From sectoral strengths and urban clustering to Freeports, fiscal devolution and the role of universities, this wide-ranging conversation challenges conventional thinking and offers a grounded take on what local leaders should do next.
Can the UK finally overcome its infrastructure inertia? Or will local leaders be eft without the resources they need to deliver much-needed projects?
In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike explore whether happiness rankings and well-being metrics have any real value in local economic development and placemaking. They ask: are these measures meaningful tools for policy—or just headline fodder? And if happiness does matter, how should it be measured and used by LED professionals?
In this episode, David and Mike are joined by Professor Kevin Morgan to explore the foundational economy—what it is, why it matters, and how it’s reshaping local economic development. They ask: how can food systems, especially public sector food provisioning, become a catalyst for community wealth and well-being? And what can the Welsh experience teach us about embedding foundational principles into policy and practice? From school meals to multi-level governance, this conversation challenges conventional growth models and offers a fresh take on place-based strategy.
In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike explore the economic implications of flooding and water scarcity. They ask: are water-related risks a barrier to growth or a strategic opportunity for innovation and regeneration? From smart water management and wetland restoration to the blue green economy and new demands from the infrastructure powering AI, they unpack how water intersects with local economic development and placemaking.
In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike unpack the 2025 Spending Review and ask: is this the moment local economic development and placemaking finally get the long-term backing they need? And will Integrated Settlements, Green Book reforms and 10-year capital deals really change the game for Mayoral Combined Authorities and their partners? They explore what SR25 means for funding stability, local autonomy, and the future of hyper local regeneration—and what it will take to turn ambition into delivery.
In this episode, David and Mike speak with Sarah Chaytor about the University Policy Engagement Network (UPEN) in the UK and the evolving role of universities in shaping public policy. They ask: how can academic expertise be better integrated into local and national policymaking? And what does it take for universities to move from transactional relationships to long-term civic partnerships that support place-based development?
In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike examine theimplications of the Reform Party’s rise to local power in England following the May 2025 local government elections. With new Reform Mayors and councils now in place, they explore what this means for local economic development, public service delivery, and the future of place leadership. They discuss the challenges facing officers in these authorities. Will the realities of office reshape Reform’s agenda or deepen the divide between national and local priorities?
In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike unpack the economic development and placemaking implications of the May 2025 local government elections in England. These saw the Reform Party gain two Combined Authority Mayors and control of several councils. They explore what this shift means for local growth, devolution, and regional collaboration. What does the future hold for the cohesion of pan-regional partnerships in northern England or the Oxford–Cambridge corridor?
In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike explore how local leadership teams can build resilience into economic development and place-making strategies in an age of perma- crisis. Reflecting on recent power outages and cyber attacks, extreme weather and infrastructure shocks, they discuss how places can prepare for the unexpected. Drawing on lessons from recent crises and long-term planning approaches, they examine the trade-offs between efficiency and resilience—and what it means for the future of local growth.
David and Mike are joined by Emma Frost, Chair of the UK Innovation Districts Group, to explore how innovation districts can drive inclusive growth. They discuss the essential ingredients of successful districts, how to manage the risks of exclusion and gentrification, and why collaborative leadership and long-term thinking can unlock their full potential.
What can local leaders do when faced with the closure of a major employment site like British Steel in Scunthorpe that the UK government stepped in to save? When thousands of jobs are at stake is there a rulebook to follow or is politics all?
What does an aggressively protectionist US trade policy mean for local economies in the States and further afield? Can it re-industrialise Appalachia, or is it doomed to fail?
In this episode, David and Mike explore the transformative potential of Mayoral Combined Authorities in England for economic development and public services. They are joined by Henry Kippin, Chief Executive of the North East Combined Authority and one of the few professionals in the sector to have occupied senior positions in three MCAs . Through the lens of England's North East, they discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by MCAs, the importance of their leadership to places, and how the democratic mandate offers a chance to achieve the institutional longevity that has traditionally eluded regional-scale public bodies in the country.
In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike unpack the implications of the recent NAO report on St Helena's Airport for local economic development and devolution in the UK. They explore the lessons that can be dawn from the airport's business case and its proposed contribution to the island's financial self-sufficiency. Join them as they ask: how should we define sustainable growth and financial independence for 'peripheral' places?
In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike unpack the UK Government's newly announced Plan for Neighbourhoods. They explore whether this initiative represents a genuine step change for local economic development or if it's merely a repackaging of the previous government's approach. They ask: how can we learn from past experience to maximise the impact of this programme? Join them as they dissect its components and discuss its implications for community involvement and local economic development.
David and Mike explore Cambridge's tech-led economic development, its role as a global tech hub, and the challenges and opportunities of being a focus of national growth plans. Joined by Dan Thorp, CEO of Cambridge Ahead, they discuss lessons for other city regions and how non-governmental place champions like CA can effectively promote their success.
In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike explore the implications of the UK Government's announcement that defence spending will increase to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with a longer-term goal of 3%. Which regions will benefit most? And how should local economic development leaders and professionals respond to the resulting opportunities and challenges of this policy change? Tune in for insights on the potential economic impact, regional rebalancing, and the strategic importance of understanding local defence industry profiles.
David and Mike speak are joined by Ian Fytche, long-serving former CEO of North Kesteven District Council in Lincolnshire. They ask: will the current approach to local government reform take the ‘local’ out of local authorities in England? And how is placemaking impacted by scale and does it demand different types of leadership?
What is an AI Growth Zone in the UK? Should your area be making plans for one? And what does this latest flavour of economic zone say about the future of zonal policies and designations in Britain? Join David and Mike as they unpack the issues.
With its recent announcements of support for environmentally contentious projects like building a third runway at Heathrow Airport, has the UK Government struck the right balance between its economic growth and environmental priorities? And how can we manage any economic and environmental tensions and trade offs locally?
In this short Espresso Shot episode David and Mike discuss the challenges local governments face in balancing economic growth and environmental priorities. They explore the government's recent pro-development announcements, the role of local authorities in implementing green initiatives, and the potential impact of new funding mechanisms like the Nature Recovery Fund. They highlight the need for evidence based decision-making and collaboration between national and local governments to navigate these complex trade-offs effectively.
In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike delve into the implications of Rachel Reeves' January 2025 growth plan for local economic development and regional disparities across the UK. They explore whether the measures announced will shift priorities for sub-national growth strategies and discuss the potential impacts on local decision-makers and professionals. Key topics include the Oxford to Cambridge growth corridor, and Heathrow's third runway. How will these initiatives affect regional economic imbalances, and what challenges lie ahead for local implementation? Tune in to find out!
How can local communities actively participate in and share the benefits of major government reforms and changes? Join David and Mike as they explore the pathways to inclusive innovation and participatory democracy with Kersten England, a champion of community empowerment.
In this episode, they dive deep into the challenges and opportunities of ensuring local communities have a meaningful voice and stake in the big ticket changes being driven by local government in the UK. Kersten England, with her extensive experience in local government and community leadership, shares insights on reinvigorating representative and participative democracy, leveraging digital tools for civic engagement, and rebuilding vital neighborhood-level infrastructure. Discover how a focus on inclusive innovation and equitable growth can transform places and empower local people.
In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike reflect on the growing chorus of high-profile criticism of the quality of UK official statistics and what this might mean for local economic development. They ask - what are the issues, and what are the consequences of this data crisis? How should sector professionals and local leadership teams respond?
In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike consider the absence of hard commitments to fiscal devolution in the UK Government's Devolution White Paper. Was the government right to exclude this? How long can local revenue raising remain off the table for England, with new tourist levies in the Pipeline for Scotland and Wales? What options are available for those seeking to champion this agenda?
In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike discuss the parameters of the upcoming local government reorganisation set out by the UK Government in its Devolution White Paper. They ask: does a target size for English Unitary Authorities of 500k+ make any sense in economic development or placemaking terms? And how can local economic development and placemaking professionals contribute positively to the reorganisation process?
Mike and David take to the LEDC crystal ball again as a new year beckons. What will be the key challenges and opportunities at the forefront of UK local economic development and placemaking in 2025? Could it be a year of bold progress for devolution? Will new strategic plans stick, and even if they do, how far can planning reform on its own fix broken housing markets? How far will global turmoil distract and disrupt even the best laid plans…?
David and Mike are joined by Richard Stubbs, CEO of Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber. They explore how health and economic agendas are co-dependent in creating healthy and prosperous local communities.
Mike and David give the local economic development and placemaking perspective on the UK Government's GetBritain Working White Paper (GBWWP). What is its major significance for local and regional leadership teams? What does it mean for those working on England's Local Growth Plans?
Join David and Mike as they dive into England's local authority financial crisis with leading expert Jack Shaw. Hear about the new insights from recent research and the glimmers of hope for reform and recovery. Tune in for a must-listen discussion on the future of local governance and financial resilience.
Read Jack's recent paper with Professor Andy Pike (also a former LEDC guest): ‘The geography of Local Authority financial distress in England
David and Mike review proposals to extend MCA powers and responsibilities, as set out in the Public Services Reform and Devolution report by Sam Freedman and Labour Together.
In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike discuss the Green Paper consultation for the UK's new Industrial Strategy. What is it proposing, and how does this relate to what has gone before? How should local leaders respond?
In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike dissect the 2024 Autumn Budget Statement. Find out what it all means for economic development, devolution, and placemaking in the UK.
Can ‘Economics 101’ and radical incrementalism reshape local economic development? David and Mike explore this and more with Professor Henry Overman. Tune in for a deep dive into practical economic strategies and their impact on our cities and communities.
In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike discuss the work of the newly-formed New Towns Taskforce. Can it improve UK housing outcomes? And how should local leadership teams work with it?
In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike discuss South Yorkshire's success in attracting high value investments in SMR manufacturing for the nuclear industry and what other regions can learn from it
In this Espresso Shot episode for September '24 David and Mike dissect the UK Government's early decisions on local deals and new Combined Authorities. What do these say about its approach to devolution? Tune in and learn more!
David and Mike discuss spatial strategic planning and its imminent return to the centre stage of local economic development in England. They are joined by Catriona Riddell, one of the UK’s leading experts on the topic.
In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike discuss the system and policy changes coming down the track for infrastructure delivery in the UK and what they mean for local economic development
In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike explore the implications of the English Devolution Bill for local economic development across the UK
In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike talk Local Growth Plans and the new requirement on Combined Authorities and devolution deal areas in England to produce them. How should local leadership teams approach writing them? Tune in and find out more!
David and Mike discuss the 'Medellin Miracle' with Professor Ana Ortega of the city's EAFIT University. How much of this Colombian regional capital's ‘City of Eternal Spring’ strapline is PR, and how much is rooted in a model of inclusive innovation from which we all can learn?
With the results of the UK General Election now in, David and Mike discuss the significant implications for local economic development and placemaking of the change in government. They look ahead to Labour’s first set-piece policy event as the governing party: the King's Speech. What can the sector expect for planning reform, devolution, and industrial strategy? Tune in to find out!
With increasing reports of universities in crisis, what does the future hold for these important local and regional anchor institutions? How can they work with higher education 'cold spots' in cities and towns to extend provision, and what does the sector want from the next UK government? David and Mike, discuss with guest Dr Peter O’Brien, Executive Director of Yorkshire Universities.
What does the UK General Election mean for the future of economic development and placemaking in the country? As the sector contemplates a major change in national policy direction, David and Mike set out the key questions for those seeking office.
Why are so many high streets across Britain struggling to thrive as economic centres? How can how can public policy and local leadership transform these once proud places into engines of future prosperity? David and Mike explore this political hot potato with leading urban regeneration expert John Houghton.
In the last of the Espresso Shots for May 2024, David and Mike examine the concerning rise in economic inactivity rates across the UK and what this means for local economies and communities. How can they respond? Tune in to find out!
For their May 2024 Espresso Shot LEDC episode, David and Mike explore the value local leadership teams can gain from refreshing their strategic approaches ahead of the next UK General Election.
David and Mike explore what the May 2024 local election results mean for economic development and devolution of governance in the UK
David and Mike discuss the March 2024 Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) publication of ‘Householdsbelow average income’ (HBAI) statistics (often referred to as ‘poverty statistics’) and what they tell us about the state of poverty and inequality in the UK today.
David and Mike unpack what is currently known about the Labour Party’s planned approach to local economic development and placemaking should it form the nextUK Government.
In March 2024, the Labour Party published Powerand Partnership: Labour’s Plan to Power up Britain, and Rachel Reeves, the Shadow Chancellor, gave the MAISlecture.
David and Mike dissect the findings and recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee's report into the UK Government's three showcase 'Levelling Up' funds.
David and Mike are joined by leading spatial economistProfessor Philip McCann for a wide-ranging discussion on the UK's growing regional economic inequalities. Philip draws on his decades of cutting-edge research and experience from around the world to analyse what's gone wrong - and how we can put it right. Tune in to hear his insights on regional divergence, devolution and the data gaps that, until now, have obscured solutions. It's an illuminating look at the puzzles and priorities of place from one of the foremost experts in the field. Don't miss this in depth episode of LED Confidential!
David and Mike discuss how far the UK Government’s£4.7bn announcement of transport investment for the North and Midlands mitigates cancellation of HS2 beyond Birmingham.
On February 13th, the UK Government announced a further elaboration of their 2023 Long-Term Plan for Housing. “Every council in England will be told that they will need to prioritise brownfield developments and instructed to be less bureaucratic and more flexible in applying policies that halt housebuilding on brownfield land. “ David and Mike discuss what all this means for LEDC listeners, their cities, towns and regions.
With think tank New Local publishing a paper calling for 'Total Place 2.0', David and Mike revisit their recollections of ‘Total Place 1.0' – the place based budgeting pilots of the Blair-Brown government. They consider why it remains a compelling idea, albeit with some very practical challenges.
New Local paper: https://www.newlocal.org.uk/articles/total-place-2-0-video-john-denham/
In this episode David and Mike are joined by Alex Hiniker, Director of the Sustainability Initiative at Carnegie Mellon University and facilitator of the first ever Voluntary Local Review (VLR) of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), completed for New York City. Learn more about how the SDGs and the mechanism of the VLR can be an important and relevant driver for LED and placemaking.
LEDC's final Espresso Shot for February...David and Mike pitch their Budget for local economic development
LEDC's second Espresso Shot for February 2024...With the publication of Cities Outlook 2024 by the Centre for Cities, David and Mike ask: do think tank reports contribute to ‘analysis paralysis’, or can they be made operationally relevant?
In their first Espresso Shot episode of February 24, Mike and David explore the under-appreciated role of the Public Works Loan Board in the recent financial difficulties of English councils
David, Mike, and Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett discuss the 'Salford Way' in this special episode. They talk inclusive economic growth, the mayoral model, and collaboration across Greater Manchester. Discover how Salford embraces its heritage as a cultural and industrial pioneer.
What were your key takeaways from 2023 for local economic development and placemaking? And what are you expecting for the coming months? Join David and Mike as they review their highlights and lowlights of 2023 and look ahead to what is sure to be another challenging year.
Have you ever wondered what we can learn about grappling with local economic development and placemaking from a 4,000 person island nestled in the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean? Prepare to be astounded and inspired as David and Mike find out in conversation with Susan O’Bey, Chief Secretary of St Helena, this remote, genuinely unique British Overseas Territory. From the island’s innovative approaches to sustainability, to how they deal with the UK Government 8000 kilometres away, you will be surprised at both our shared agendas with St Helena and also how explicitly identifying and articulating our distinctive values, assets and capabilities are critical to successful, effective LED and placemaking.
For their roundup of November 2023, David and Mike dissect announcements from the Autumn Statement on devolution and check in with UK policy on economic zones. They explore the pros and cons of the latest devolution deals, the emerging shape of Single Financial Settlements for Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, and the LED lessons from supporting a cyber cluster at Cheltenham's Golden Valley Development.
Tom Forth is Head of Data at Open Innovations, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of The Data City. He is a high-profile writer on questions relating to UK industrial strategy, devolution, and regional inequalities in economic development. In this episode, David and Mike explore with Tom how innovations in the use of data science in economic development can help local leaders revitalise their economies. They discuss how these tools help us to understand the economic performance of Northern England's cities relative to their overseas peers.
Tom reflects on how improving our understanding of places is only half the battle: that without the ability or willingness to decentralise powers and funding to local government, the UK risks being wise to its economic problems but slow to fix them.
Join hosts David and Mike as they explore the pivotal role of business networks, like Chambers of Commerce, in shaping local economies with Staffordshire Chambers CEO Sara Williams OBE.
In this roundup of sector developments from October 2023, David and Mike dissect the UK's new Levelling Up and Regeneration Act, the National Infrastructure Commission's latest assessment of Britain's infrastructure needs, and 4-Day work week trials in local government.
In this roundup of sector developments from September 2023, David and Mike explore why the future of high speed rail, the precarious state local government finance, and mayors taking control of bus services in England are so important to the economic growth of places across the UK. What does Birmingham City Council effectively declaring bankruptcy mean for how it conducts placemaking? Why was HS2 always about so much more than conveying people in greater modernity and comfort between cities with existing rail connections? And how can setting bus routes and timetables through franchising services open up new sites for development? Tune in to find out!
Curious about what comes after Local Enterprise Partnerships in England? Join David and Mike for an exclusive chat with Chris Starkie, former CEO of New Anglia LEP, as they dissect the transition from LEPs to successor arrangements in local economic development. What challenges and opportunities face those being handed the baton?
In this episode, David and Mike explore what economic developers can learn from the Spanish women's national football team, and their success at the World Cup despite high-profile failures of management. They dive into the summer blockbuster film Oppenheimer, and how the Manhattan Project can inform mission-led policy in the age of climate change. Is it possible to recreate the dynamism outside of an immediate national crisis, like a war or pandemic? And as they review the latest crop of UK government funding competitions, don't miss their take on the 'chess tables in parks' saga!
Curious about the future of devolution in England? Join David and Mike on LED Confidential as they sit down with Professor John Tomaney from University College London. Together they unravel devolution's impact on communities and economic growth. Hear why the current approach is failing to engage local people and the options for a more inclusive, effective decentralisation of power. Can reform of England's governance take a turn for the better? Tune in to find out!
Can inner-city densification and a new urban quarter for Cambridge get England out of its house building funk? Are large public subsidies for battery plants, like the proposed Tata Gigafactory factory in Somerset, the right way to modernise local economies? And what are the barriers to the tech revolution in public service delivery proposed by the Tony Blair Institute? Join David and Mike as they mull over another month in local economic development...
Bonus briefing available on the LEDC website!
Denser English cities won't happen without house building on the Greenbelt - as Cambridge shows (ledconfidential.co.uk)
Join David, Mike, and Oxford Professor Danny Dorling as they discuss the roots of the UK economic crisis, and the geography of poverty and inequality. They dissect the long-term trends that shaped contemporary Britain's income and wealth disparities, and how local economic development can provide transformative solutions.
David and Mike explore the issues faced by local economic development teams in the UK as they navigate some of the fiercest price pressures in recent UK inflation rate history, a glacial UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and the impact of relocation on civil service jobs and behaviours. Tune in now for expert insights and actionable solutions!
Discover the career pathways to becoming a Director or CEO in local economic development. David and Mike are joined by the leading sector recruitment expert and MD of Penna, Julie Towers. Julie shares her insights on the latest trends, and the personal qualities and skills needed to succeed in this evolving field.
Green Belt, migration, and apprenticeships. Each offer huge opportunities for local innovation, more effective delivery, and better policy outcomes with changes in relative national, and sub-national powers and resources. Find out what David and Mike think in this episode of LED Confidential.
Discover the untapped potential of universities in local economic development. Dr Louise Kempton of CURDS joins Mike and David as they discuss the complexities, challenges, and possibilities for universities to drive placemaking and transform communities.
In this episode, Mike and David review the highlights of April 2023, including the Dominic Raab bullying saga, the imminent submission of Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs), and the inception of new unitary councils in England. They delve into the complex relationships between elected politicians and senior officials, the importance of employer leadership and voice in skills planning, and the balancing act between seamless transition and achieving a clean break in local government reorganisation.
David, Mike, and guest Professor Pete Tyler discuss the UK’s forthcoming Investment Zones and the history of area-based initiatives, from the pioneering Enterprise Zones of the 1980s, through Freeports, and the more recent Opportunity Zones of the US. If you’re an economic developer who wants to design successful zones, don’t miss this episode!
Join David and Mike as they review what March 2023 meant for local economic development in Britain. They analyse the Spring Budget statement from the UK Government, the new trailblazer devolution deals for Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, and why the country struggles with slow delivery of major infrastructure projects.
In a world of pandemics and economic crises, how can local leaders navigate their places to a brighter future? Join David and Mike as they tap theinsights of Jim Savege, Chief Executive of Aberdeenshire Council in the globally-renowned energy hub of Scotland’s north east. From building social capital, to progressing long-term ambitions with tactical dexterity, this episode is a fascinating journey into the potential of local communities experiencing rapid change and inspiring them to be the best they can be.
Join David and Mike as they review what February 2023 had in store for local economic development. They take on three of the issues to look out for in the impending March Budget statement from the UK Government: mission-based economic renewal, local government finance, and the future of area-based approaches to environmentally-sustainable transport.
Join David and Mike as they explore the power of sporting and cultural events to transform places. Discover what it takes to build a positive legacy that outlasts the event itself. They are joined by guest Michael Owens, co-author of 'Play the Game' - the insiders' account of how the London 2012 Olympics transformed the Lower Lea Valley. The stakes are high, the action is intense and the journey is full of twists and turns. This is LED Confidential - the podcast that delves into the untold stories behind local economic development and placemaking.
Will the controversial reveal of Levelling Up Fund Round 2 awards prove to be the tipping point in the UK government’s approach to funding LED? What does the draft devolution deal for North East England and the emerging 'trailblazers' for Greater Manchester and the West Midlands mean for those areas, and the rest of the country? And does the Convention of The North signal a new phase in pan-regional working? Join David and Mike for a thought-provoking review of the month that just was in UK local economic development and placemaking.
David and Mike review the UK's tumultuous year in placemaking, from the launch of the Levelling Up White Paper to the introduction of the AI bot, ChatGPT. Join them on a journey through political mayhem, inflation, and tortured funding models; to devolution, and the promise of Local Skills Improvement Plans.
Is local economic development in the UK now a hostage to the fortunes of a UK government in turmoil? Can devolution save us from bad policies and dysfunction at the centre? And what are the prospects for existing and potentially new devolution arrangements under the Truss government? Join David, Mike and guest Andy Pike of Newcastle University as they discuss: can decentralising power address UK-level failures in policy and governance?
What should be the big ticket items in Liz Truss's local economic development and 'Levelling Up' in-trays? What roles can long-term strategies play for places battling the latest economic crises? And are there any reasons to be optimistic for the future of LED in the UK following the formation of its new government? Join David, Mike and guest Julia Goldsworthy as they discuss: where now for economic development in the age of Truss?
Do government funding programmes raise the ambition of places or divert them from the changes they really need? Do they raise standards or impose a place-blind uniformity on local economic development? Might reform of public funding unleash potential in places or do local leaders always make the system work for their priorities? David and Mike discuss with Sandra Rothwell, Managing Director of LED consultancy ROTHWELL and formerly CEO of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership.
What does great political leadership look like in local economic development? How can places cope if it's poor or inconsistent? Do national political priorities always trump local ones? David and Mike discuss with Jonathan Carr-West, CEO of Britain's Local Government Information Unit.
Is there a universal formula for success as an economic development organisation? Is big always beautiful? Or is small and nimble the way to go when setting one up? Do they work best when forced to compete or encouraged to work together? David and Mike discuss with guest Tom Stannard, CEO of Salford City Council, UK.
What makes a city, town or village distinctive? What kind of stories do places need to tell about themselves to achieve their goals? And what role should data play in forming them? David, Mike and guest Bec Riley of City-REDI at the University of Birmingham (UK) discuss what makes a place in the minds of investors, central government, local leaders, residents and employers.
Podcast about local economic development and placemaking. Co-hosted by Mike Spicer of PolicyDepartment and David Marlow of Third Life Economics. Mike, David and guests address the divisive, often unspoken issues facing economic development professionals in 2020s Britain.