Great piece from @paulswinney.bsky.social showing how places can think through data. Definitely worth a read by #localgov folks -- you too can do a 'sniff test'!

Several online events from @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social coming up, plus a guest slot at the ONS Local webinar series. And can't forget the @centreforcities.bsky.social deep dives into regional data! All in our latest event mailing: mailchi.mp/whatworksgro...

Some delightful comparisons on London's size in the comments here. A great reminder of why we often need to answer "is this a big number?" in multiple ways!

Competition is an important driver of productivity as it can push businesses to become more efficient, innovative and productive. But local government should think carefully about how to intervene. Check out the latest blog👇 buff.ly/v2UFZ3N

In September the government published the last of eight sector plans in the industrial strategy, covering defence. Our new blog gives suggestions for how places can think through support to local businesses in responding to these plans👇 buff.ly/qR0b8yL

Second blog in our new series 'Understanding drivers of productivity' -- this time on understanding capital and investment - a huge factor in the UK productivity puzzle. This is a useful addition to our 'Core Concepts' series aimed at #localgov economic development teams.

With more flights than ever taking off from the UK, airport expansion is a hot topic ✈️ But what might expansion mean for local growth in the areas around airports? Our new blog discusses some of the issues to consider👇 buff.ly/GSYeoO6

Local Growth Plans are a key part of the government’s growth strategy. Devolution will need to generate jobs, investment and economic activity more than the sum of their parts – multipliers can help assess these wider benefits. Read how in our new blog👇 whatworksgrowth.org/insights/mul...

🆕 Rapid evidence review: Local multiplier effects of changes in public spending We’ve published a new briefing on the local multiplier effects of changes in public spending. Read in full 👇 whatworksgrowth.org/wp-content/u...

Succinct podcast with the key takeaways on the impact of enterprise zones on the local economy. Great informative piece from our Deputy Director of Evidence, Victoria Sutherland, from @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social

My newest blog for @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social -- there's going to be a lot of hype for the IS-8, but places need to be realistic -- creating an advanced manufacturing cluster out of thin air isn't going to happen in most places. Take a broader approach to tradeable sectors in local economic plans.

Great to have Jeff Matsu of CIPFA author a guest blog on "Linking Appraisal and Evaluation: Lessons for Smarter Public Spending" for @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social A 6 minute read: whatworksgrowth.org/insights/lin...

Enterprise zones and investment zones have been a hot topic for the last few years. But how effective are they? Our latest blog sets out what we've learned from our most recent study, and why more targeted evaluations would be useful.

In the 2010s, the UK government announced 48 Enterprise Zones (EZs) offering five-year rebates on business rates, simplified planning regulations, access to superfast broadband, and (in some cases) tax relief on plant and machinery investments. buff.ly/XChupdH

ICYMI: The UK Government launched an evaluation registry-- it includes evaluation plans and completed evaluations from across Departments and agencies. My latest blog highlights a few ways it can support local growth policymakers, as well as helping evaluation leads at MCAs to review methodologies.

@yadigomezh.bsky.social, research economist for @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social, offers recommendations for other evaluators in her newest blog.

Rigorous evaluation plays a key role in understanding the effectiveness of local growth policies. We aim to make impact evaluation easier for policymakers by providing advice and support. Our new briefing outlines lessons and recommendations from our evaluations 👇 1/6

📌BLOG | We don’t have enough impact evaluations around local growth policies, but that can change. Our Head of Outreach, @meganstreb.bsky.social, uses our newest publication to remind us that robust evaluation can be done in the UK. See the blog👇 buff.ly/hqNpMha

📌 Why Industrial Strategy shouldn’t be aiming to make everywhere equally successful In this blog, @paulswinney.bsky.social, sets out why the Industrial Strategy should be focused on the productivity of our biggest cities. Read now 👇 loom.ly/o-GBm_s

How can #councils and planners create healthier places? This practical new guild from @qualityoflifeuk.bsky.social shows how #DesignCodes can provide a framework for healthy place-making. it's free - do take a look!

Ahhhhh..... the beauty of nature in London's Green Belt. (this is a bonkers story that is well worth a read) www.theguardian.com/environment/...

This is a fantastic thread, and some of the years will likely have you reeling.

I volunteer at a school street in Southampton. Monday and Friday mornings I see the vast majority of kids walking, scooting or cycling. But cars are so freaking big (particularly compared to kids!) that a small number can cause chaos. It's a weekly reminder of inequity. We can do better.

Great piece from @maxnathan.bsky.social et al originally in @econ-observatory.bsky.social on BBC relocation + multipliers. Can't get enough of multiplier effects? Watch the recording of our recent @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social webinar -- link in the blog intro.

BLOG | Do cities and regions gain from public sector relocation? In this guest blog, @maxnathan.bsky.social, @henryoverman.bsky.social, Capucine Riom, and Maria Sanchez-Vidal set out evidence on the impact of BBC relocation to Salford on wider employment in the area. Read more👇 loom.ly/hbBF_Xk

Public procurement as a policy lever is being pushed to #localgov in the UK. We need to be careful that we don't look at it as a magic fix for local economic issues. Our evidence briefing is worth a read.

We take evidence on local growth and put it into bite-sized chunks. We cover multipliers as a 4 minute read in our latest blog, a 45 minute watch on YouTube (less if you prefer 1.5x or 2x speed!), and a longer evidence toolkit. Lots of options for busy #localgov #econdev policymakers.

✍🏼 Effective devolution: why evidence and evaluation are key to success This blog recaps the key points of the first in our latest event series of on how local governments can prepare themselves to make the most of the devolution of local growth policy 👇 loom.ly/VGfcqU8

I should start collecting new bad examples for our 'Making use of evidence' course. bsky.app/profile/whst...

Great to see that research on multipliers gets another mention in the FT! It's not super sexy, but it's critical for being realistic about where and how we might see growth. Check out our @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social webinar with @maxnathan.bsky.social for more info www.youtube.com/live/kVNB0yJ...

Missed our @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social webinar on multipliers featuring @maxnathan.bsky.social on the BBC relocation to Salford? Catch up on YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVNB...

Looking forward to this event tomorrow!

Really great Big Read on British economic policymakers increasingly flying blind. www.ft.com/content/dd55...

Four online events coming up from @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social -- how should #localgov think about devolution, multipliers, economic inactivity, and industrial strategy. Check out our latest newsletter, and then subscribe! mailchi.mp/whatworksgro... (it isn't from April, I promise)

Still time to sign up for our session on using evidence and evaluation in a world where more powers are going to be devolved to local areas.

Looking forward to this session on devolution next week. @henryoverman.bsky.social and Victoria Sutherland will pack a lot into this 45min session for policymakers.

Do this, and don't stop when you're not quite as new. And, on the other side, make sure people know they can ask you loads of questions or give you feedback!

Understanding the role of BTR feels increasingly important for local politicians, planners, #localgov more broadly and residents. Great to have a new report looking at it through a social impact lens.

Check our Will's blog on the English Devolution White Paper, and then register for @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social webinar 'Effective devolution: lessons learned over ten years' coming up on 5th Feb. #localgov whatworksgrowth.org/insights/eng...

Thanks to @johnfinnemore.bsky.social and Granada for a very satisfying and unexpected moment while cooking dinner. #ResearchersFirstMurder

Great piece by @sarahoconnorft.bsky.social on data centres, the promise of jobs, and the importance of multipliers. We'll be exploring similar ideas in our upcoming event, come along 👇 whatworksgrowth.org/events/think...

Great piece by @sarahoconnorft.bsky.social on data centres, the promise of jobs, and the importance of multipliers. @henryoverman.bsky.social was quoted, which is handy as @whatworksgrowth.bsky.social have an event on multipliers coming up. whatworksgrowth.org/events/think...

We talk a lot about use of data with local authorities. Even if you're not one of the @centreforcities.bsky.social 63 cities, it's worth folks in #localgov taking a look at what they highlight and how they draw out insights. If you don't work in local gov, but live in one of the cities, take a look!

🤝 What do we know about business support and SMEs? The impact of business support has been a key area of research at the ERC, and some of our key findings on business advice are included in the infographic below ⬇️

Fantastic podcast covering Robert Caro's 'The Power Broker' from @romanmars.bsky.social + @elliottkalan.bsky.social Turns out my dad (local gov planner!) had just finished the book when I told him about the podcast. The series is over, but don't binge it. Savour it. 99percentinvisible.org/club/

we're thrilled to share that we've started the year with a new addition to our team! he's extremely smart, capable, charming, persuasive, and boasts a wealth of museum experience

If ever you wanted to tell the recent story of British industry this idealised veneration of the past and pusillanimous fear of growth, innovation and investment pretty much sums it up

📢What Works Growth Director @henryoverman.bsky.social appointed to Industrial Strategy Advisory Council The council will be an independent body which will inform and monitor the development and delivery of the government’s industrial strategy. Read more 👇 loom.ly/1lASzzU

BLOG | Meeting places where they are📍 Head of Outreach, @meganstreb.bsky.social, joined the Board of Directors of the IED last week. In this blog, she reflects on how being a Director of IED fits with her aim of supporting places by meeting them where they are👇 whatworksgrowth.org/insights/mee...

Just a reminder, as you look outside and notice it's already getting dark 😱, that today is the earliest sunset of the year (15:51 in London). From tomorrow the sunsets slowwwwly start getting later again. (Sunrises don't start getting earlier until Dec 30th hence solstice on 21st.) YOU ARE WELCOME.