Since 1988, outsourcing services once delivered by councils has reshaped the geography of local spend, meaning profit often leaves communities. But councils are rediscovering the value of keeping services - & wealth - local 💡 🔗 @sarahlonglands.bsky.social for the MJ: www.themj.co.uk/special-deli...

Members of the Scottish Parliament have just voted to pass the world’s first piece of legislation on Community Wealth Building This is a huge opportunity to ensure that when Scotland has economic growth, we use it to reduce wealth inequality and support communities to thrive

'Dr @sarahlonglands.bsky.social, chief executive of Manchester-based think tank CLES, describes the fund as 'fiscally creative'. She says the Labour mayor is 'making the right noises' when it comes to building community wealth and procurement that supports the local supply chain' ⤵️

Really proud that we are publishing this new work today as part of Reclaiming Our Regional Economies. Making extraction visible - it matters because this is about using public resources effectively in the public interest

Idea for BBC R4: quality BBC journos, serious investigative reports, interviewers on top of subjects, balanced coverage of parties. No breathless reporting of Reform, journos as ‘experts’, book pluggers, pop song lyrics, football banter. Could be broadcast 06:00-09:00.

"Can the Budget be a line in the sand where the Gov unleashes a new era of political empathy with difficulties such as paying the bills, having secure, well-paid work, somewhere to live, accessing services & getting care for loved ones?" ✒️ @sarahlonglands.bsky.social writes: www.themj.co.uk/new-era

Great to be at the #decarbonisingdublin summit organised by @codemadublin.bsky.social and listening to the fabulous @donnagartland.bsky.social introducing the day

How is life in the UK in 2025? Join us on Tue 28 Oct, 10-11am, for our Life in the UK 2025 webinar. Hear our key findings from Susan Pinkney with reflections from @graceblakeley.substack.com. Find out more and book your place: carnegieuk.org/event/how-is...

We are proud to announce that our Chief Executive, Dr @sarahlonglands.bsky.social, has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director to the board of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government 👏 www.gov.uk/government/n...

FIVE BOLD TAX MOVES THE CHANCELLOR COULD MAKE IN TO PLUG THE GAP IN THE AUTUMN BUDGET ⬇️

Second, we are discussing @samfr.bsky.social’s hugely popular book with Sam and a great panel: Martin Brookes (VONNE), Adrian Dougherty (NECA), @sarahlonglands.bsky.social (CLES), Sajda NawazBhatti (Newcastle City Council), Jo Fox ( @newcastleuni.bsky.social) insightsnortheast.co.uk/event/fixing...

For #IEDConf2025, we welcome back @sarahlonglands.bsky.social, Chief Executive @clesthinkdo.bsky.social. Sarah will be joining our Question Time panel, sponsored by The Growth Company. Ticket sales are strong, so grab yours whilst they are still available sasevents.eventsair.com/ied-conferen...!

"While the official measurement of growth is GDP or GVA, speak to councillors...& they will talk about jobs, security, housing & special educational needs support" @sarahlonglands.bsky.social writes about why we must look beyond growth in her latest column ⤵️ www.themj.co.uk/looking-grow...

🗣️ Today, MPs will debate the English Devo Bill. There's a notable omission: fiscal devo. 💬 In a new essay for @compassoffice.bsky.social, @sarahlonglands.bsky.social explains the fiscal devo debate, & argues for Prescott’s vision for a federalist nation. 🔗 www.compassonline.org.uk/publications...

🪴 We’re pleased to welcome @sarahlonglands.bsky.social from the @clesthinkdo.bsky.social as one of our #DecarbonisingDublin Summit 2025 speakers! Innovation for achieving a low-carbon Dublin is one of our main discussions. Get your early-bird ticket: bit.ly/4mBUoKY

'If we want to keep the spirit of Oasis alive in Manchester and help an Oasis of the future thrive, we've got to make sure people can come through the system' @sarahlonglands.bsky.social of @clesthinkdo.bsky.social on the Northern Agenda podcast Listen here: podfollow.com/the-northern...

This week on the Northern Agenda podcast, @liamthorp.bsky.social and I are joined by the brilliant @sarahlonglands.bsky.social to talk - How do we spread the benefits of the Oasis gigs? - What's really going on with Reform UK revoking the climate emergency in Durham? podfollow.com/the-northern...

Great news and something we’ve been calling for at @clesthinkdo.bsky.social for many years

Really shocking behaviour on so many levels - poor leadership snd management. @financialfairness.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

A second free push for this. I’m slightly surprised that the doge thing is the only element of the Reform local govt agenda that seems to have captured the national chat in any way. From where I’m sitting, this is the bit of their agenda, and their politics, to watch before that on.ft.com/44qrdlT

My view for the afternoon - what a wonderful place to work @hawkwoodcft.bsky.social

🏴 This week at #RoyalHighlandShow: @sarahlonglands.bsky.social joins @scottishlandcom.bsky.social's panel on Scotland’s rural land market (Fri 20 June, from 3pm). She’ll share CLES insights on public value + natural capital ⬇️ cles.org.uk/publications... #LandReform #CLES

"This investment won't change lives if it just helps the biggest firms hoover up the proceeds." @sarahlonglands.bsky.social on the CSR. 💷 Invest in local economies 🧓 Fund social care properly 🏙️ Stop backing agglomeration over inclusion 🔗 www.linkedin.com/posts/sarah-...

How comprehensive? How to spend the money? Some thoughts from me on the #CSR www.linkedin.com/posts/sarah-...

🌾 “Britain’s food security is at risk – and local farming holds the key.” Public sector food procurement is a powerful lever for change. It supports local farmers, builds resilience & boosts fairer economies. A must-read from Julian Boys 👇 www.lbc.co.uk/opinion/view...

A great blog here from @naomimason.bsky.social for @reformscotland.bsky.social covering the nuts and bolts of community wealth building and the size of the prize for the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill.

"With every crisis comes a moment of reflection – a “how did we get here?” Overton window that must be seized before it is too late." @sarahlonglands.bsky.social's latest MJ article argues that local gov reorganisation offers an opportunity to let the people in. 🔗 cles.org.uk/blog/let-the...

Key question for @itvnews.bsky.social when examining the failure of care companies like Lifeways is its ownership structure. #itvnews Lifeways are owned by OMERS private equity. So are they interested in delivering care or growing returns for pensions? In whose interest?

Wondering what impact the US Tariffs might have in UK regions? 👇

Process gets in the way of doing the right thing. Great closing plenary at #thisisthenorth @peoplespowerhouse.bsky.social

Great to be in Liverpool for #thisisthenorth and we are dancing! @peoplespowerhouse.bsky.social

📢 Scotland’s Community Wealth Building Bill is here! A world-first piece of legislation set to reshape how wealth is generated & retained in communities. What does it mean & what’s next? 🔗 Read more in @naomimason.bsky.social's latest blog: cles.org.uk/blog/scottis...

Excited to be in Parliament for the launch of the North West Leaders Board's Powering Up the North West 🔗 cles.org.uk/publications... 💰 Fair funding 📈 Beyond growth 🤝 Fix care 🏘️ More homes 🌳 Local climate action 🚅 Better transport 🏥 NHS & local gov teamwork

Like many others, CLES is gearing up for the Spending Review. 🌅 This morning, @sarahlonglands.bsky.social joined LBC News to discuss new research from the LGA highlighting the urgent need for sustainable funding for local government.

I wrote a thing about the unreality of the debate on disability benefits, where it comes from and how it affects us. It cost a few spoons to do it, but I think it would have cost more not to. Have a read if you're interested: www.christineberry.net/2025/03/the-...

🚀 This is The North 2025 – If more power is on the way, how do we keep it real?🎉 Join us on April 3rd at The Black-E, Liverpool for a day packed with big ideas, real talk, and Northern energy. 🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/this-is-th...

We’re out and about across the UK today to tell MPs and constituents that our country is missing out on £460m a week without a wealth tax. Rachel Reeves doesn’t need to make cuts, instead she can tax the richest people like us to build a better Britain. #TaxOurWealth

Proposals to cut benefits for disabled and sick are a mistake. 1/2 🧵 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

New report from us @clesthinkdo.bsky.social on the localisation of food through procurement! Feels more important than ever in an age of insecurity.

Do u care about local places and keen to see more heterodox economic thinking in policy and practice? If so, we are looking for new Trustees for our work at the centre! Please DM me for a chat to learn more @clesthinkdo.bsky.social

Great afternoon in Gloucester talking about community wealth building, local economies and devolution - time for a quick look at the magnificent cathedral

One of my all time favourite reports, Women’s work is a vital and undervalued part of the UKs economy. Good 🧵 👇 summarising its conclusions and why it matters

Absolutely bang on piece by @dhnnjyn.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

#podcast The rest is...place? 😂 This is a great listen from the lpiphub.bsky.social at CityREDI: Nicola Headlam, Rebecca Riley and Abigail Taylor talking through the relationship between central government and the devolved nations and regions. 🔗 buff.ly/4gXOQWZ

It’s always great to start Monday with Tom Lloyd Goodwin as we make sense of the policy landscape (!) and plan the week ahead at CLES towers. @clesthinkdo.bsky.social

Last chance to apply! Lecturer in Social and Public Policy. Conduct world-class research, teach on leading programmes, and shape the future of social policy! 📅 Apply by: 3rd March 2025 🔗 Apply here: tinyurl.com/2p8rfxjb #AcademicJobs #SocialPolicy #HigherEdJobs

A great Friday morning in sunny North Yorkshire - hearing about the many projects supported through #UKSPF which support communities, enterprise and support for employment and skills. Great foundations for a strong economy and the opportunity is there to mainstream it through devolution.

If more power is on its way, How do we keep it real? 💡💥 Not to be missed!! 🎟️ Tickets on Eventbrite #thisisthenorth #letthepeoplein

With thanks to @sarahlonglands.bsky.social @apsenews.bsky.social for their report highlighting the costs of austerity in local government since 2010. Spending per resident in England has been slashed from £3,628 to £2,857, after inflation - Reversing this would provide a £43.6bn economic boost

Good short explainer on devo white paper implications in terms of local gov organisation www.theguardian.com/society/2025...