April newsletter: appraising the manifestos

Author: Localis   |  

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At a time when think tanks have to effectively go into hibernation, the manifestos are a welcome distraction. And although this time around they should possibly be taken with a pitch of salt – they’re as much a pitch to potential coalition partners as to voters – manifestos do still allow parties to paint a picture of their general vision for government.

So it was fantastic to see the devolution of power to local people form a key theme in each of the major parties’ manifestos. While of course none of the manifestos go as far as we would like in putting power in the hands of local people, they do make clear that there is significant momentum behind the decentralisation agenda.

Clearly, this is very much to be welcomed and given that it is one of the few policy areas that all parties seem to agree on, we hope and expect for it to be a core principle of the next government, be it a coalition or not.

Recent Localis reports

We have recently published three reports on the rise of entrepreneurial activity in councils; the role of Local Enterprise Partnerships in driving local economic growth; and, how we can effectively integrate health and social care.

Commercial Councils: The rise of entrepreneurialism in local government
Enterprise in local government is present, growing and could play an even bigger role in changing the face of the sector. These are the findings of our latest report Commercial Councils which was covered in the MJ and LGC. We find that in the last few years there has been an evident shift towards greater entrepreneurialism with over half of all English councils now owning a trading company and a majority operating a joint venture with the private sector.

The Next LEPs: Unlocking growth across our localities
Whoever forms the next government, there is a cross-party consensus that Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) are here to stay. This report explores their future; finding that if suitably reformed to be more accountable and transparent, LEPs should take on more powers and receive greater funding. The Next LEPs was welcomed by a number of cross-party politicians, including Chuka Umunna, and was also widely covered in the media, notably in the Financial Times.

Unblocking: Securing a health and social care system that protects older people
Health and social care is proving to be a big issue at this election. This report explores the system’s failings up to now, finding amongst other things that it still rewards activity and not outcomes. Covered in the Daily Mirror and Daily Express, the report was warmly received, with a foreword by former Secretary of State for Health Alan Milburn.

Events recap

Last month we hosted two debates on the Labour and Liberal Democrat parties’ policies on devolution in conjunction with LabourList and Liberal Democrat Voice respectively. With speakers across the two events including Tessa Jowell, Jon Cruddas, and Stephen Williams, both gave interesting snapshots to both parties’ thinking on local government.

To read the newsletter in full, click here.