What is social infrastructure?
Explains what social infrastructure is, why it matters and how community-facing assets and services can build resilience, foster social ties and support thriving communities — aimed at policymakers and practitioners.
UK policy, filtered.
Everything government, Parliament, the statistical agencies and the major policy institutes published — read, summarised and ranked so you can skim the day in a minute.
5,510 articles · 37 live sources · updated 1h ago
Devolution is about more than acquiring powers
Argues strategic local authorities should use devolution not just to acquire powers but to reshape public services, emphasising systems change and inclusion as priorities for combined authorities such as the West Midlands.
Many Do More as One: What Functional Interdependence Can Tell Us About Coalition Building
Cities often cross administrative boundaries for travel, water, waste and economic links; the paper argues functional interdependence should inform coalition-building and coordination between municipalities for shared challenges like transport and pollution.
Operation Vanguard – reassurance or reinforcement?
Essex County Council has launched a private security operation called Operation Vanguard to ‘reassure’ residents; the authors question whether it provides reassurance or effectively reinforces private policing and its implications for accountability and public oversight.
Reimagining commissioning: towards relational, learning-centred approaches
Argues commissioning should shift from transactional procurement to relational, learning-centred approaches that better connect policy priorities with frontline delivery, fostering collaboration, iterative improvement and stronger outcomes for local services.
Burnham goes big: What difference does it make?
Analysis examines the scale and implications of Andy Burnham’s major policy moves, assessing what difference his expanded local powers and programmes might make for devolution, services and regional governance.
Spotlight: Leading effectively through change
No excerpt provided — a protected New Local post titled ‘Spotlight: Leading effectively through change’, aimed at supporting leadership practice in local public services; full content requires access to the protected post.
What works now? Local government action on climate and nature in 2026
Three‑part New Local series examines what local councils can do to keep delivering on climate and nature targets amid shifting funding, policy and operational landscapes, highlighting practical actions and examples from 2026.
Spotlight: In conversation with Dr Catherine Howe
A protected post presenting a conversation with Dr Catherine Howe; no excerpt provided. Likely discusses local services, leadership or public sector innovation based on New Local’s focus.
How We Did It: Prevention through an experimentation lens
Produced with the Cabinet Office’s Test, Learn and Grow programme, this How We Did case study explains an Accelerator project that applies experimentation to prevention work, sharing lessons on design, partnership and learning for local services.
Insight Infrastructure conference 2027
Joseph Rowntree Foundation will host a two-day Insight Infrastructure conference (22–23 March 2027) on how people and communities can shape, own and act on evidence about their lives.
Poverty in Scotland 2026
Joseph Rowntree Foundation finds poverty remains too high in Scotland with national targets missed, calls for radical change and a stronger role for local government in both delivering poverty reduction and in its relationship with the Scottish Government.
Learning from the DevoLab #5: How mayors and local leaders can create a shared vision for growth
Mayors and local leaders can create shared visions for growth by aligning strategic priorities, engaging stakeholders and using devolved powers effectively, drawing lessons from the DevoLab series to improve local economic planning and partnerships.
Why not find out first, spend second?
Argues the £210m high-street regeneration pledge is backward: spend decisions should follow local demand research. Notes online sales now represent about 25% of retail, implying less physical High Street space is needed before redesigning uses.
This all seems a little swift to be honest
Contends councils should be able to compel repair or reuse of long-neglected properties, citing international examples of prolonged urban decay and arguing for sensible time limits and enforcement powers for local authorities.
Local government in Scotland is critical to reducing poverty
This JRF summary of Poverty in Scotland 2026 outlines public attitudes to local government, argues for reform of local funding and urges councils to use all available levers to reduce and prevent poverty locally.
Radical leader
Interview profile of Ann McGauran reflecting her long commitment to local government reform and community work, republished from The MJ, exploring leadership and practical approaches to civic renewal.
Spotlight: Involving people in decision-making – Learning lessons from Camden Council and South Staffordshire
Summarises lessons from Camden and South Staffordshire on involving residents in decision‑making, drawing on the Waves digital democracy programme and practical examples for local participatory practice.
That devolution idea didn’t last long then
Argues that English mayors should face greater central scrutiny to prevent devolution being undermined by poor local decisions, criticising current arrangements and calling for tighter oversight of mayoral powers.