Devolution

We are helping to shape English devolution so that it delivers stronger local economies – meaning that places can turn new powers into real change for people and communities. Devolution presents a major opportunity to reshape local economies around the needs of people and place, not profit. But it requires bold leadership, practical tools and economic strategies that tackle inequality and put local priorities first.

CLES works with strategic authorities, councils and partners to shape economic strategies that build community wealth, strengthen the social economy, drive fair employment and use local investment and procurement for public good. We support places to design and deliver devolved powers in ways that make economies more democratic, inclusive and resilient. And we work nationally to influence the wider devolution agenda – advocating for a system that gives places the freedom and resources to build stronger regional economies from the ground up.

We are currently working with Centre for Thriving Places (CTP), Co-operatives UK and the New Economics Foundation (NEF) on the Reclaiming Our Regional Economies (RORE) programme. The programme brings communities together with political and institutional leaders in three pilot regions (the West Midlands, South Yorkshire and the North East) to test ideas that help to re-wire and reform their regional economies so that they deliver good lives now and for generations to come.

CLES has also recently completed a major scheme of work with the King’s Fund, supported by the Health Foundation, gathering extensive insights into the effectiveness of devolution in addressing health inequalities.

Explore some of our recent work:

Strategic authorities and health inequalities: 10 actions for realistic progress – CLES

Mayors can tackle health inequality – CLES

Strengthening the foundations: the foundational economy in the North East – CLES

Ending extraction in the UK care system – CLES