local economies

New Start and NEF to map the local economic alternative across the UK

21 Apr. 2015

A manifesto for local economies

In recent years there has been no shortage of reports about how bad austerity is and how it is affecting the poorest the most. However, while much of this is well meaning, it is short on what we need to do differently. In the new manifesto for local economies, the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (Cles) sets out ideas which breaks out of this austerity narrative and the present timidity of some proposed alternatives. For us, decent public services and fairness work with and for prosperity and against poverty and inequality. Cles draws on a range of experiences to reclaim a local economics which work for social justice.

CLES Manifesto for local economies

17th March 2015

215.5kB .pdf

This CLES Manifesto is underpinned by our values and principles and is based on the experience of our work in local economies over...

CLES Manifesto for Local Economies charts a more socially just future

17 Mar. 2015

RESEARCH

Developing Resilient Town Centres

12th February 2015

296.8kB .pdf

What makes a resilient town centre? This paper, aimed at people working to support their high street, town or city centre, provide...

FINDINGS

The role of the VCS in achieving the outcomes of LEPs

17th December 2014

190.2kB .pdf

This findings document outlines what we see as the key roles for the voluntary and community sector in LEPs; and how LEPs can maxi...

Small businesses are being locked out of local economic decision-making

Local enterprise partnerships are dominated by large businesses to the detriment of growth in our communities. Small businesses account for 47% of the UK’s private sector employment and around a third of turnover, but they are being left out of the loop when it comes to shaping and nurturing local economic growth.

CLES report calls on government to clarify LEPs' role

03 Sep. 2014

RESEARCH

The future of LEPs: the small business perspective

3rd September 2014

942.5kB .pdf

This report, produced in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses, examines the progress made by LEPs and sets out a wa...

Building a local civil economy

The word ‘economy’ can be traced back to the Greek word oikonomos, – ‘one who manages a household’. However, the idea that the economy is intimate and social is often lost from modern day economic discussions. Indeed, all too often the social sphere, is seen as an assumed outcome of economic activity, rather than a planned for and locked-in necessity.

This connectedness with the social sphere should be central to any local economic development. What is the point of local economic development if it does not deliver social outcomes or address poverty? In this we need to think about building a local civil economy – an economy which is decent, fair and works for people.