Universities and Councils Join Forces at i-PLACE 25 conference
Amid the backdrop of the Budget, both sectors remain under severe financial strain. Universities UK warns the higher education sector faces a £1.4 billion net loss, while local authority debt has soared to £122 billion, according to BBC analysis. A recent Key Cities Leaders’ Survey also revealed that 60% of councils plan to sell assets […]
New report from Key Cities and We Made That
The report draws on the lived realities of our member cities, through a series of roundtables across the country and alongside a survey from Key Cities members. These insights have collectively shaped the findings and recommendations in this report. Spatial justice recognises that where we live shapes how we live – determining our access to […]
Rights to Place Report
These insights have collectively shaped the findings and recommendations in this report. Spatial justice recognises that where we live shapes how we live – determining our access to quality housing, clean air, parks, cultural opportunities, and influence over decisions that affect people’s daily life. As we see increasing crises across our cities around issues such […]
Key Cities calls for urgent action to address housing delivery
The government’s ambition is to deliver 1.5 million new homes during this parliament. Following a survey of our 25 member cities and towns, we identified the structural barriers to housing delivery throughout the UK regions and provided recommendations, which include a series of targeted reforms that will unlock land, improve viability and raise housing standards. […]
Turbocharging housebuilding in cities and urban areas
While housing remains a national priority, many cities lack the powers and resources required to meet ambitious housebuilding targets and respond to increasing demand. This report demonstrates how Key Cities, the largest and most diverse network of urban areas outside London, can act as vital partners in tackling the national housing crisis. Drawing upon expertise […]
Cllr Jeremy Hilton
Jeremy Hilton is the leader of Gloucester City Council. He is a member of the Liberal Democrat group and has served on the council for a total of 30 years. He is also the cabinet member for regeneration. He was born in Gloucester and went to school in the city and have lived within […]
Key takeaways from the Cities Forum 2025
Last month, Key Cities held its inaugural Cities Forum at the University of Staffordshire in Stoke-on-Trent, marking the beginning of a series of events aimed at fostering greater collaboration between the public and private sectors, and welcoming a new era of collaboration. The event kicked off with several introductions from the Chief Executive at Stoke-on-Trent […]
We are hosting a fringe at Labour Conference!
Join us at the Labour Party Conference, where on Tuesday 30th September, we will be hosting a fringe event on the topic of our upcoming housing report, ‘Turbocharging housebuilding in cities and urban areas’. Our panel will explore how cities and urban areas can lead the charge in meeting the Government’s ambitious target of building […]
We are exhibiting at LGA Conference 2025!
Key Cities will be exhibiting at this year’s LGA Conference in Liverpool! This year’s conference takes place between 1st and 3rd July. It is a significant event for local government, where many leaders and officers, including from the Key Cities network, come together for three days of discussion and networking, focused on how we can […]
Reviving coastal areas: a matter of national renewal
Cllr Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council & Key Cities lead for Coastal Communities: It has become increasingly apparent that our coastal towns and cities are severely lacking the support they require to thrive. Despite government promises to “rebuild Britain” over the past few decades, coastal economic output remains 26% below the UK average. […]
