Sarah Longlands
@sarahlonglands.bsky.social
๐ค 1373
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Chief Executive of Centre for Local Economic Strategies.
@clesthinkdo.bsky.social
.
reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)
12 days ago
What if your mayor ran your supermarket? ๐ New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani says bring on the competition. Our new blog explores what this could mean beyond New York - could public supermarkets be part of the future of affordable food? Read Mamdani-Marts now:
cles.org.uk/mamdani-mart...
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)
16 days ago
The war in Iran will have impacts far beyond the region, including on local economies here in the UK. In our latest blog, we explore why global instability makes the need for community wealth building and local economic resilience more urgent than ever. ๐
cles.org.uk/resilience-i...
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)
about 1 month ago
CLES is 40 ๐ To mark this moment, our former director and chair, Michael Ward, reflects on how the threat of the abolition of the Greater London Council and other metropolitan counties led to the birth of CLES ๐ฃ ๐
cles.org.uk/cles-at-40-f...
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
Danny Sriskandarajah
about 1 month ago
A very happy 40th birthday to
@clesthinkdo.bsky.social
! A great line up of speakers
@mayorofgm.bsky.social
@bevcraig.bsky.social
@allymcgovern.bsky.social
@sarahlonglands.bsky.social
all pointing to the need to overturn 40 years of an economic ideology based on extraction.
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)
about 1 month ago
CLES began as a collective response to difficult times for local economies โ Today, in an age of permacrisis, our purpose matters more than ever ๐ Weโve rebranded for the first time 20 years - a renewal for what comes next ๐ฅ
@sarahlonglands.bsky.social
writes ๐
cles.org.uk/cles-at-40-r...
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
New Economics Foundation
about 1 month ago
Exciting opportunity to join our team as a senior digital comms officer! We're looking for someone with experience of leading impactful digital communications strategies or campaigns to help us maximise our impact. Find out more and apply:
neweconomics.org/about/work-w...
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)
about 1 month ago
CLES has a fresh new identity ๐ฑ From today, we are the Centre for Local Economies - an independent think tank and charity that puts economics in its place ๐๏ธ ๐
www.cles.org.uk
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
Danny Sriskandarajah
about 2 months ago
As
@guardianheather.bsky.social
points out in her analysis of
@zackpolanski.bsky.social
speech today, Rachel Reeves launched her Everyday Economics pamphlet at NEF in 2018. Here's a quick quiz: whose speech contained each of the following?
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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Polanski positions Greensโ economic policy as radical alternative to Reeves
Offer to reform taxes, tackle โrip-off Britainโ and overhaul fiscal rules could tempt exasperated Labour supporters
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/mar/18/zack-polanski-greens-economic-policy-reeves-taxes-labour
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Great to spend St Patrickโs day with
@clesthinkdo.bsky.social
team in the office with sunshine and good food in manchester โ๏ธ
about 2 months ago
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)
about 2 months ago
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 ๐ก ๐
@sarahlonglands.bsky.social
for the MJ:
www.themj.co.uk/special-deli...
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Special deliveries
Local government is responsible for providing a diverse range of local services, many of which are delivered directly by local authorities and their partners. But...
https://www.themj.co.uk/special-deliveries
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)
3 months ago
Members of the Scottish Parliament have just voted to pass the worldโs 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
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)
6 months ago
'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' โคต๏ธ
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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
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6 months ago
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
John Denham
6 months ago
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 โexpertsโ, book pluggers, pop song lyrics, football banter. Could be broadcast 06:00-09:00.
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)
7 months ago
"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?" โ๏ธ
@sarahlonglands.bsky.social
writes:
www.themj.co.uk/new-era
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A new era?
While for many working in policy, the forthcoming Budget is a key milestone in the political cycle, for most people it happens to them and then they are told how...
https://www.themj.co.uk/new-era
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Great to be at the
#decarbonisingdublin
summit organised by
@codemadublin.bsky.social
and listening to the fabulous
@donnagartland.bsky.social
introducing the day
7 months ago
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
Carnegie UK
7 months ago
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...
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)
7 months ago
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 ๐
www.gov.uk/government/n...
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Lead
7 months ago
FIVE BOLD TAX MOVES THE CHANCELLOR COULD MAKE IN TO PLUG THE GAP IN THE AUTUMN BUDGET โฌ๏ธ
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies (CURDS)
8 months ago
Second, we are discussing
@samfr.bsky.social
โs 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...
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Fixing Britainโs Failed State - Insights North East
Details Date: October 15 Time: 05:00 pm - 07:00 pm Click to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fixing-britains-failed-state-tickets-1674869984209 Organizer Insights North East Website: https://www...
https://insightsnortheast.co.uk/event/fixing-britains-failed-state/
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
Institute of Economic Development
8 months ago
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...
!
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)
8 months ago
"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 โคต๏ธ
www.themj.co.uk/looking-grow...
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Looking beyond growth
I was reminded this week of Michael Heseltine's 2012 report, No stone unturned: in pursuit of growth, which featured a cartoon of the man himself hunting for growth...
https://www.themj.co.uk/looking-growth-1754491807
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)
8 months ago
๐ฃ๏ธ Today, MPs will debate the English Devo Bill. There's a notable omission: fiscal devo. ๐ฌ In a new essay for
@compassoffice.bsky.social
,
@sarahlonglands.bsky.social
explains the fiscal devo debate, & argues for Prescottโs vision for a federalist nation. ๐
www.compassonline.org.uk/publications...
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From Whitehall to Townhall: What the English Devolution Bill Needs - Compass
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill provides a once-in-a-generation chance to deliver the radical change to local government needed [โฆ]
https://www.compassonline.org.uk/publications/from-whitehall-to-townhall-whats-missing-from-the-english-devolution-bill/
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
Codema - Dublin's Energy Agency
10 months ago
๐ชด Weโre 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
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Northern Agenda
10 months ago
'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...
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
Rob Parsons
10 months ago
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...
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The Northern Agenda: Don't Look Back In Anger: Reform UK cancels Durham's climate emergency
With Oasis' Manchester gigs the talk of the town, even senior politicians like Commons Leader Lucy Powell can't resist making groan-inducing puns about the Gallagher brothers' classic songs.But wit...
https://podfollow.com/the-northern-agenda/episode/fe55e77cd84e9b420628aae5301dde91d2ec66f3/view
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Great news and something weโve been calling for at
@clesthinkdo.bsky.social
for many years
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10 months ago
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Really shocking behaviour on so many levels - poor leadership snd management.
@financialfairness.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
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To all who think capitalism can drive progressive change, it wonโt โ and hereโs the shocking proof | Polly Toynbee
Asset manager Aberdeenโs surprise cut to funding research into inequality has left those that used its grants for good work reeling, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jul/01/capitalism-drive-progressive-change-aberdeen-inequality?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
10 months ago
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
Jennifer Williams
11 months ago
A second free push for this. Iโm 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 Iโm sitting, this is the bit of their agenda, and their politics, to watch before that
on.ft.com/44qrdlT
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How Reformโs anti-asylum message won over Durhamโs former mining communities
[FREE TO READ] Populist party is already taking credit for a Home Office contractorโs pause in asylum placements
https://on.ft.com/44qrdlT
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My view for the afternoon - what a wonderful place to work
@hawkwoodcft.bsky.social
11 months ago
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)
11 months ago
๐ด This week at
#RoyalHighlandShow
:
@sarahlonglands.bsky.social
joins
@scottishlandcom.bsky.social
's panel on Scotlandโs rural land market (Fri 20 June, from 3pm). Sheโll share CLES insights on public value + natural capital โฌ๏ธ
cles.org.uk/publications...
#LandReform
#CLES
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)
11 months ago
"This investment won't change lives if it just helps the biggest firms hoover up the proceeds."
@sarahlonglands.bsky.social
on the CSR. ๐ท Invest in local economies ๐ง Fund social care properly ๐๏ธ Stop backing agglomeration over inclusion ๐
www.linkedin.com/posts/sarah-...
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How comprehensive? How to spend the money? Some thoughts from me on the
#CSR
www.linkedin.com/posts/sarah-...
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The Comprehensive Spending Review. | Sarah Longlands
The Comprehensive Spending Review.ย So how comprehensive was it?ย Is it a basis to grow community wealth A few thoughts from me: ย ๐ Great to have a spending review which shows that this Government is...
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sarah-longlands-35128a29_the-comprehensive-spending-reviewso-how-activity-7338897150803668995-ekvK?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&rcm=ACoAAAXp9W0BhV0tzFBwG9XF0lAS04xg51-jjJM
11 months ago
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)
about 1 year ago
๐พ โBritainโs food security is at risk โ and local farming holds the key.โ 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 ๐
www.lbc.co.uk/opinion/view...
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Britainโs food security is at risk โ itโs time to back local producers with public money
The UKโs food system is under pressure.
https://www.lbc.co.uk/opinion/views/britains-food-security-is-at-risk-local-farming/
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)
about 1 year ago
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.
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)
about 1 year ago
"With every crisis comes a moment of reflection โ a โhow did we get here?โ 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. ๐
cles.org.uk/blog/let-the...
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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?
about 1 year ago
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Wondering what impact the US Tariffs might have in UK regions? ๐
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about 1 year ago
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Process gets in the way of doing the right thing. Great closing plenary at
#thisisthenorth
@peoplespowerhouse.bsky.social
about 1 year ago
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Great to be in Liverpool for
#thisisthenorth
and we are dancing!
@peoplespowerhouse.bsky.social
about 1 year ago
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)
about 1 year ago
๐ข Scotlandโs 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 & whatโs next? ๐ Read more in
@naomimason.bsky.social
's latest blog:
cles.org.uk/blog/scottis...
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)
about 1 year ago
Excited to be in Parliament for the launch of the North West Leaders Board's Powering Up the North West ๐
cles.org.uk/publications...
๐ฐ Fair funding ๐ Beyond growth ๐ค Fix care ๐๏ธ More homes ๐ณ Local climate action ๐ Better transport ๐ฅ NHS & local gov teamwork
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)
about 1 year ago
Like many others, CLES is gearing up for the Spending Review. ๐ 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.
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
Christine Berry
about 1 year ago
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-...
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The lies we tell ourselves: Starmer and the gaslighting of disabled people โ Christine Berry
https://www.christineberry.net/2025/03/the-lies-we-tell-ourselves-starmer-and-the-gaslighting-of-disabled-people/
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
The Peopleโs Powerhouse
about 1 year ago
๐ This is The North 2025 โ If more power is on the way, how do we keep it real?๐ Join us on April 3rd at The Black-E, Liverpool for a day packed with big ideas, real talk, and Northern energy. ๐๏ธ
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/this-is-th...
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reposted by
Sarah Longlands
Patriotic Millionaires UK
about 1 year ago
Weโre out and about across the UK today to tell MPs and constituents that our country is missing out on ยฃ460m a week without a wealth tax. Rachel Reeves doesnโt need to make cuts, instead she can tax the richest people like us to build a better Britain.
#TaxOurWealth
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Proposals to cut benefits for disabled and sick are a mistake. 1/2 ๐งต
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
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Keir Starmer could face biggest rebellion over disability benefit freeze
Exclusive: Dozens of Labour MPs understood to have urged the government to think again
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/12/keir-starmer-could-face-biggest-rebellion-over-disability-benefit-freeze?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
about 1 year ago
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New report from us
@clesthinkdo.bsky.social
on the localisation of food through procurement! Feels more important than ever in an age of insecurity.
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 year ago
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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
add a skeleton here at some point
about 1 year ago
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Great afternoon in Gloucester talking about community wealth building, local economies and devolution - time for a quick look at the magnificent cathedral
about 1 year ago
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