Centre for Local Economic Strategies responds to the Prime Minister’s new “Pride in Place” programme

Ahead of the Prime Minister’s anticipated speech on Friday about the rise of populism in which he will announce a new “Pride in Place Programme”, CLES has welcomed the move and urged places to make the money “work hard to rewire local economies”.

Dr Sarah Longlands, chief executive of CLES, said:

“The news that the government is to intensify efforts to target inequality with new place based investment, with local people in the driving seat is very welcome news.  

“How this money is spent, and who benefits from it really matters. There is an opportunity for places to take a community wealth building approach to investing these funds– making them work hard to rewire local economies to increase the flow, circulation and democratic ownership of wealth. That way, places cannot be ‘kept back’ again.

“This is a positive initiative to tackle some of the symptoms of economic inequality, but it must come alongside a wholesale rewiring of our economy. Our economy is designed to deliver hardship and insecurity, but it can be re-designed to deliver prosperity and security for everyone. Part of this will require long term investment in local authorities and the services that they provide including care, housing, planning and neighbourhoods”.

ENDS