Today the government found its voice on community power. Now, it should have the confidence to pursue a bold community empowerment agenda. 🧵 Here’s what we think:

It’s a big day for our campaign: the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill landed in Parliament a few hours ago. Here’s what it means for communities: 1/5 🧵 #CommunityPoweredPolitics

Good news that this is in the bill out today, but it comes at a time when the government has recently cut support for areas to take spaces into community ownership so they can benefit local people. If you're wondering what a community Right to Buy would mean, go here: locality.org.uk/what-is-comm...

There are major benefits situating services together locally, but new 'Neighbourhood Health Centres' should be located in and work closely with the thousands of charity-run community hubs that already tackle poor health, often without funding or collaboration with the NHS. www.gov.uk/government/n...

📢 9.3 million people are facing hunger and hardship in the UK. We support @trusselluk.bsky.social, @jrf-uk.bsky.social and 100s of people in Parliament today calling on MPs to Guarantee our Essentials. #EssentialsGuarantee locality.org.uk/news/localit...

Today community leaders and champions were awarded honours, including Locality CEO Tony Armstrong! They include founders and volunteers providing food, transport, sports and health services for their communities. Congratulations to you all. locality.org.uk/news/tony-ar... @antlondon.bsky.social

Locality CEO Tony Armstrong responds to the #SpendingReview: “It's disappointing to see the absence of funding for community ownership. Renewal can only happen with direct involvement of local people. Govt must set out a clear way forward on how to put community power at the top of the agenda.”

Today's news could be how this will reduce homelessness, the numbers and spending on benefits, and council temporary accommodation bills. Or how it'll help more people afford a home by making private sites viable. But that's long term thinking, instead we get: Where is the money coming from now?

This is excellent news for anyone who wants to tackle poverty, insecurity and homelessness. It is thanks to years of tireless campaigning for social housing from SHOUT, Shelter, Inside Housing & many others @insidehousing.bsky.social @insidehousing.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

This is a really important way that communities can protect local buildings and spaces - and great that @princecharlescinema have done so. Check it out:

Good idea to prevent issues getting worse, but how about we ask community organisations to do this, and invest in them instead - they already know and have the trust of local people. Rather than hiring a new group of workers? www.thetimes.com/article/0254...

If the government slashes benefits we'll see more people facing hunger & hardship. Getting iller. Seeing debt mount up. Lying awake at night worrying. Unable to afford essentials. More work coach support simply can't outweigh not being able to food on the table.

Government increasing work coach support for long-term unemployment & disabled people. ✅Voluntary support, commitment to personalisation. But: Will work coaches have the knowledge & skills to really help? And massive benefit cuts will undermine any positive effect. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

A win for our 'Keep it Local' campaign today! Government has just said public contracts should 'maximise spend with SMEs and VCSE organisations'. This could be a first step towards helping local people get better services and building the economy. Read our statement here:

Great work Ed explaining how the new Community Right to Buy would work, and thank you to Emily Hudson for showcasing the amazing work of Foxies Futures and others in taking over and running local buildings for the benefit of their communities.

'Rising interest rates and the cost of living crisis have led to a drop in parental handouts for first time buyers' (The Times) www.thetimes.com/article/b463... This totally reminds me of one of the best Shelter campaigns, about the struggling 'Bank of Mum and Dad':

This week some of the Locality team got to check out Anfield Stadium, #Liverpool, where #Locality25 Convention will take place in November! We met Locality members Homebaked Community Land Trust, and also had the chance to visit community-owned Kitty's Launderette. Excited for what's to come!

This focuses on the 170 'community diagnostic centres' run by the NHS, but what about the thousands of charity-run community centres that often see problems first and work out what's wrong, then refer people on - just think what they could do with powers and support www.thetimes.com/article/a970...

This is good news - Councils used to be able to buy farmland at market price then give it planning permission, but with 'hope value' added to prices since the 60s, the cost of purchasing land has been the biggest blocker to building good quality, affordable homes. www.thetimes.com/article/a81b...

This is great news! Something we've been campaigning for for years. You can find out more about it here: locality.org.uk/what-is-comm... @locality.bsky.social @right-here.org @powertochange.bsky.social