LED Confidential

In this guest episode, David and Mike are joined by Mark Sandford, senior research analyst at the House of Commons Library, to explore what MPs actually want to know about devolution, local government finance and place. Mark explains how the Library's strictly impartial briefings have shaped debate on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act, the Fair Funding Review 2.0,  Local Government Reorganisation, and how mayoral devolution has shifted in under a decade from political suspicion to cross party orthodoxy. The conversation covers what a move from discretionary grants to assigned tax revenues could mean for the mayor–Whitehall relationship, the risk of a democratic deficit in reorganised local authorities, and how a more fragmented five-party political landscape may change what MPs need to know. LED and placemaking practitioners will take away a clearer sense of how to frame evidence for Westminster audiences.

In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike explore whether Mayoral Strategic Authorities can genuinely deliver whole-geography growth or whether the devolution model is structurally biased toward cities and large urban projects. They examine the gap created by Defra's non-participation in Integrated Settlements, which leaves MSAs with formal rural responsibilities under the D&CE but without equivalent rural funding levers. David sets out why appraisal  and business case development systematically disadvantages dispersed, rural geographies where fewer beneficiaries, smaller project pipelines, and thinner institutional capacity mean that they routinely lose out in any funding model designed around scale.  Mike explores what LED professionals can do now, before any reform, including investment in the development of a rural project pipeline and pushing the right-to-request agenda into Defra territory. The May 2026 local election results, which showed a growing divergence between core cities and their rural hinterlands, add political urgency to a structural economic challenge.

In this guest episode, David and Mike are joined by Dr Adrian Johnston MBE, Innovation Commissioner for Innovation City Belfast, to explore whether inclusive innovation can be measured in practice. Adrian explains how Innovation City Belfast, a partnership of seven anchor institutions built around the £1bn Belfast Region City Deal, moved beyond GVA and patents toward a broader "inclusion capital" framework covering economic, human, cultural and social capital, using proxies like "social graphs" and self-efficacy to track whether prosperity is genuinely shared. The conversation covers the Belfast Inclusive Futures visioning process, the city's ambition to be the UK's healthiest and most productive city by 2035, the spatial equity challenge of city-centre-led innovation, and how devolved regions outside London and Greater Manchester might frame policy differently.

In this Espresso Shot, David and Mike  unpack the UK Government's new capital risk framework for local authorities — a consultation launched on 28 May 2026 proposing powers to monitor debt, investment, and revenue sustainability across every council, with intervention triggers where thresholds are breached.  At the time of recording six councils remained under Section 114 intervention; 37 others were in receipt of around £1.9bn in Exceptional Financial Support. Mike asks whether this represents proportionate governance or Whitehall micromanaging the financial distress it helped create. David argues the real problem is the local government finance system itself: designing a compliance framework around Woking and Thurrock while the majority of councils face structural distress from rising adult social care and SEN costs is a category error. For LED and placemaking professionals, the central question is whether tighter borrowing rules will constrain the regeneration finance that makes growth possible in the places that most need it — and whether the consultation is an opportunity to shape the outcome.

In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike unpack Alan Milburn's interim review findings into young people and work  — a diagnosis that names nearly 1 million 16–24 year-olds as not in employment, education or training ("NEET"), at an estimated economic cost of £125bn annually, and describes a "generational fault line" in the UK labour market. They explore the structural drivers behind the crisis: why ill health is a major cause of NEET status; how remote working and national living wage policy have reshaped entry-level opportunities; and why this problem clusters in particular places. David asks whether the Milburn Review risks reproducing a youth-employment-focused intervention without addressing underlying place-based system failures in coordination, while Mike explores the demographic pressures on recruitment in foundational economy sectors, and what this could mean for demand for young workers.

The UK’s latest healthy life expectancy figures published in Spring 2026 have been described as a watershed moment, and for local economic development they raise uncomfortable questions.In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike explore what falling healthy life expectancy, widening spatial gaps and changing population dynamics mean for the growth assumptions embedded in many local strategies. They ask whether places should still be planning primarily for growth or whether resilience and the prevention economy now need to sit at the heart of LED and placemaking.

In this episode, David and Mike are joined by Dr Glenn Athey to discuss the state of professional practice in local and regional economic development. Using Glenn’s new handbook as a springboard, they explore why delivery capability has become such a binding constraint on place based change, how years of austerity and institutional churn have hollowed out professional capacity, and what today’s practitioners need in order to do the job well. From evidence and judgment to curiosity, stakeholder engagement and getting out from behind the screen, this is a practical conversation about how to build stronger individual and organisational capability for the work ahead. Access the handbook: https://lredhandbook.com/

With the Devolution and Community Empowerment Act now on the statute book, England’s devolution journey feels more settled but perhaps more uneven.In this episode, David and Mike ask whether the new three‑tier system of strategic authorities accelerates progress or risks locking large parts of the country into a holding pattern. They explore Foundation Combined Authorities, Integrated Settlements, the under‑examined community empowerment strand of the Act, and what LED professionals can do in places still waiting for powers that may never arrive.

In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike  unpack what business and institutional investors may be reading into the 2026 local election results in England at a moment when confidence, continuity and delivery matter more than ever.They explore whether governance instability is being treated as background democratic noise or as genuine execution risk, how this compares with the importance of traditional project fundamentals, and what LED and placemaking professionals can do to signal continuity through anchor institutions, clear pipelines and credible communication.

This is the second in LEDC’s short run of episodes on AI — focusing on the economic impacts on places and what that means for local skills and growth plans. Drawing on live work on local skills planning,  David and Mike reflect on how uncertain employers remain about how it will impact their recruitment decisions. They explore the spatial dimension: AI may be transformational for places with dense “intelligence functions”, while a small number may host major data / energy infrastructure. But what about the rest? They cover the practical AI adoption strategies for non‑obvious AI “winners” and what’s already visible in local labour markets.

In this episode, David and Mike are joined by Claire Ward, the first Mayor of the East Midlands Combined County Authority, to explore what it really takes to lead a new devolved English region through its first term. She reflects on how newer Combined Authorities differ from the earlier Greater Manchester / West Midlands experience, and building institutions at pace across four constituent authorities as powers, structures and expectations accelerate. They cover how to create a region‑wide narrative and shared priorities, what first‑term success looks like in tangible delivery terms,and why issues like integrated settlements, visitor levies, and broader fiscal devolution matter for shifting to a more flexible, locally‑shaped resource envelope. Mayor Claire discusses the importance of coterminous responsibilities across public services (and the practical challenges when footprints don’t align), collaborations with other mayors, and why better local data is essential if devolution is to drive genuinely place‑specific policy and delivery.

The UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer put fiscal devolution firmly on the table with her 2026 Mais Lecture, including a road map for sharing national tax revenues with English regions. Does this foreshadow a permanent shift of power, or the familiar business rate retention model in new clothing?  A model of retaining growth in tax yields without clarity on which public service responsibilities move alongside? Most importantly: what evidence and options should practitioners be assembling to feed into the Autumn Budget, including the role of inclusive growth and the risk of widening divides between mayoral strategic authorities and everywhere else?

In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike unpack the UK Government’s 25 March 2026 announcements on Local Government Reorganisation in England. These included proposed moves from 44 authorities to 16 unitaries across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and the paused decision on Sussex and Brighton & Hove pending further consultation. They ask: Is this good news, bad news, or indifferent for local economic development and placemaking? And what does it mean when reorganisation lands alongside emergent mayoral / sub‑regional governance, with real risks around delivery capacity, 'shadow' arrangements, and keeping LED priorities visible during transition?

Is AI changing how you do local economic development and placemaking – or just adding noise? In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike share real examples of using AI to augment workshop management, support  stakeholder engagement and review business cases, alongside stories of mistranslations and “garbage” syntheses. They explore where AI genuinely augments LED work – and where human judgement, strategic insight and relationship‑building still have to lead.

What happens to local economic development when Green Party councillors and (potentially) mayors become a major force in local government? David and Mike explore the “Green wave” – from housing quality and community ownership to a proposed uplift in local government funding tied to net zero and inclusion – and ask whether our current tools and economic plans are ready for it.

Is the capacity of our power infrastructure now the majordeterminant of local and regional growth? David and Mike explore how grid constraints, global energy shocks and local political battles over  the net zero transition are reshaping regeneration pipelines, spatial strategies and local economic  plans. They ask what role Mayoral Strategic Authorities, non -mayoral areas and infrastructure providers should play as energy becomes an organising principle for LED.

Edinburgh is one of the UK’s star city economies. But is success breeding complacency? David and Mike talk to Liz McAreavey, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, about Edinburgh 2030 – a business‑led call to action that aims to turn a patchwork of sector plans into a clear local growth strategy and a stronger “Team Edinburgh” voice. They discuss models for strategic leadership, regional powers, and why investing in foundations like skills, housing, lab space and transport is critical to delivering good, poverty‑reducing growth from a position of strength.

The Chancellor has confirmed a new Local Growth Fund (LGF) – a £900m, four‑year capital pot reserved for 11 Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) in the North and Midlands of England. But the annual average of £225m is around 60% lower than England’s final‑year UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation, and many places – including London, the South East, most rural counties and non‑mayoral areas – will receive nothing from this scheme. In this Espresso Shot, David and Mike ask whether LGF represents a serious new regional policy – or simply a smaller, more selective successor to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. They explore the risks of widening disparities within and between regions, the challenges of aligning LGF with integrated settlements, visitor levies, investment zones and other funding pots, and what all this means for capital‑heavy programmes where revenue and community‑level capacity often lag behind. Can MSAs use LGF catalytically – and what are practitioners in non‑funded areas supposed to do next?

The UK Government has expanded its Pride in Place (PiP) programme – £20m over 10 years for each selected neighbourhood, with local boards deciding how to spend it on high streets, youth centres, community spaces and events. At the same time, the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (ICON) warns that current approaches are too small‑scale and partial to turn around outcomes like crime and economic inactivity by 2030. In this Espresso Shot, David and Mike explore what the PiP extension really means for LED professionals. They discuss the tensions of local authorities being both accountable body and ‘institution‑builder’, the risk of creating neighbourhood structures dependent on town halls, and the absence of an explicit economic foundation or public service integration in the PiP model. What does a genuinely strategic approach to neighbourhood renewal look like – and can PiP be stretched to deliver it?

David and Mike unpack the “perfect storm” hitting English local government in early 2026. From the new financial settlement and outcomes framework to 52 reorganisation proposals and reinstated local elections, they explore what this blizzard of change really means for local economic development and placemaking. Is this a moment to despair – or to push for system‑level reform in how Whitehall, local democracy and LED actually work together?

What's blocking regional rebalancing and regeneration in England, and could new institutions tackle the north-south divide? In this episode, David and Mike are joined by Peter Hetherington – one of the UK’s most respected commentators on regional affairs, land use and the north south divide. Peter argues that a step‑by‑step dismantling of regional policy has left England without a national regeneration agency, spatial strategy or coherent institutional framework – and he tells LEDC what it would take to rebuild one. From the tensions between Whitehall control and genuine local autonomy, to the crisis in local government finance and the case for taking social care out of council budgets, they explore what “radical but realistic” reform might look like in practice.

Six years after the pandemic declaration, the Hallett COVID‑19 Inquiry is uncovering lessons with major implications for local economic development. David and Mike discuss enduring economic scarring, deepened health inequalities, the overlooked importance of social infrastructure, and why future LED strategies must embrace resilience, slack and the agency of hyper‑local communities. A sharp 10‑minute dive into what the Inquiry means for placemaking in 2026.

What should England’s new Visitor Levy really be used for — growing the visitor economy, boosting wellbeing, or redistributing tourism across Combined Authority areas? David and Mike unpack the Government’s 72‑page consultation, explore why England’s opt‑in model is unusual when compared to those operating in elsewhere in Europe, and discuss how varying charge levels, lobbying pressures and sub‑regional governance could shape local economic development.

As US–Europe tensions over Greenland flare and then cool (for now), David and Mike ask what this kind of geopolitical dispute really means for local economic development. They unpack how tariff threats, critical minerals, energy security and defence policy filter down into business confidence, inward investment, and local growth plans – and why LED professionals need to move from static strategies to live scenario planning that reflects an increasingly uncertain trading environment.

What does it take to turn a 50km stretch of Scotland’s Firth of Forth into a hub for sustainable growth? CEO Sarah Murray gives LEDC the inside track on the Forth Green Freeport. From unlocking £8 billion in investment and creating 34,000 jobs to embedding fair work and Net Zero principles, the Scottish Green Freeport model promises economic, social, and environmental transformation on a grand scale. But how do you balance global capital with local benefit? How do you curate investment, manage complex partnerships, and ensure communities are at the heart of change? Join LEDC as David, Mike, and Sarah unpack the lessons for economic developers everywhere.

2026 could be a year of big moves—or big misses for economic development. In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike share their predictions on placemaking, local growth, and the infrastructure bets that could make or break business confidence.

2025 was a year of contrasts for local economic development in the UK: progress on devolution, persistent financial fragility, and political shake-ups. In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike look back at the stories that mattered—and what they mean for the sector in the year ahead.

Innovation districts have become a cornerstone of urban economic development—but are they truly inclusive? In this episode, David and Mike talk to Dr. Michael Glass of theUniversity of Pittsburgh about the next generation of innovation districts: ID 2.0. Drawing on international comparative research across four cities—Pittsburgh, Medellín,Newcastle, and Belfast—Michael explains how leadership, community engagement, and governance can ensure these don't become inward-looking enclaves but instead are catalysts for regional equity and opportunity. If you care about inclusive growth, urban redevelopment, and the future of innovation policy, this is an essential listen.

The UK Government’s Autumn 2025 Budget promises big changes for local economic development—but will they deliver? In this episode, David and Mike dive into the details behind the expansion of Integrated Settlements, new overnight visitor levies, Business Rate Retention Zones and more. What of the growing gap between the powers and funding available to Mayoral Strategic Authorities and non non-mayoral areas in England? Tune in for a sharp analysis of what Budget 2025 means for place-making and the future of local growth.

In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike unpack the UKGovernment’s £500m investment in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor. With ambitions to create “Europe’s Silicon Valley,” the episode explores whether this mix of public and private investment, statutory development corporations, and transport infrastructure is a one-off or a replicable model for other UK growth corridors. They also reflect on the political complexities, the role of local governance, and the importance of inclusive innovation. Is this a generational mission—or just another commuter belt upgrade?

In this special guest episode, LED Confidential welcomes Alex Plant, CEO of Scottish Water, for a deep dive into the role of water utilities in local economic development. With £110 billion of investment planned across the UK over the next five years, Alex shares insights on how water infrastructure can unlock housing, attract inward investment, and support climate adaptation through nature-based solutions and blue-green infrastructure.Drawing on experiences from Scotland, England, and global best practice, Alex gives his expert take on the potential of water companies as anchor institutions, the impact of ownership models, and the urgent need for strategic regional planning. From smart canals in Glasgow to wetlands in Norfolk, this episode reveals how water can be a catalyst for prosperity—if we’re bold enough to rethink how we plan and collaborate.Independent Water Commission Review of the sector in England and Wales

Is the UK’s new Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper a game-changer—or just more policy noise? Mike and David explore the future of vocational qualifications, civic colleges, and adult learning in this Espresso Shot. Listen now for a fast paced take on what it means for local economic development and local skills improvement plans.Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper

In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike take a closer look at the New Towns Taskforce Final Report—commissioned by the UK Government. With 12 sites proposed and Development Corporations to lead delivery, the episode explores how this new wave of towns reframes post-war policy for today’s challenges. What does it all mean for the future of housing delivery, infrastructure, and economic development in the country? Tune in to learn more!Access bonus materials for this and other episodes over at the LEDC website: Bonus materials | LED Confidential

In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike dive into the September 2025 submissions for new unitary councils from Devolution Priority Programme areas in England—Norfolk, Suffolk, Greater Essex, Greater Sussex, Hampshire and Solent—and the 17 unitary proposals they’ve produced. With population sizes ranging from 146,000 to over 900,000, and council tax politics fueling local tensions, what does this wave of reorganisation mean for local economic development, placemaking and sector professionals? What does it mean for the future of devolved government in the country? Tune in to learn more!Access bonus material for this and other episodes over at the LEDC website: Bonus materials | LED Confidential

In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike look at the UK Government's new Pride in Place strategy and funding programme—a £5 billion commitment to hyper-local economic development across hundreds of 'doubly disadvantaged' neighbourhoods. Is this a genuine shift towards community-led renewal, or just another fragmented initiative from the centre They revisit insights from previous episodes with John Denham and John Houghton, exploring how neighbourhood boards, capital funds, and devolved ambitions might (or might not) come together. Can Pride In Place deliver more than just pockets of progress? Tune in to learn more!Access bonus materials for this and other episodes over at the LEDC website: Bonus materials | LED Confidential

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?