Insights from the Annual Labour Party Conference
Devolution, rebuilding trust and addressing systemic challenges. The Key Cities discussion at the Labour Party Conference underscored the critical need for strategic reforms and collaborative efforts to secure the future of urban areas across the UK. The session brought together influential voices in local government and politics, including Cllr John Merry, Chair of Key Cities; […]
Council Leaders’ survey
Key Cities’ Leaders’ Survey finds that despite new optimism, leaders across the UK need more power and resources to stabilise local government. City leaders from across the country will be prioritising service redesign and using financial reserves to combat the ongoing financial crisis in municipal government. The findings have been revealed by Key Cities, a […]
Key Cities responds to General Election result
Congratulations to the Labour Party on winning the General Election. Key Cities, the cross-party network representing 27 urban areas that cover 10% of the UK’s population, looks forward to jointly delivering on the new Government’s ambition for delivering growth and getting Britain building. In 2024 Key Cities set out its own manifesto for municipal government, […]
Key Cities Manifesto launch
In the manifesto we call for a fair funding approach from the next government and outline our vision to improve local government services for our communities. Hear more from Local Government Minister Simon Hoare MP, our Key Cities APPG Co-chair Rebecca Long Bailey MP, and Deputy Chair of Key Cities Cllr Jane Mudd who spoke […]
Local partnerships to drive net zero innovation
The launch of Civic Partners in Net Zero at the House of Commons, 23 April 2024 From self-charging HGVs to energy from biowaste – Key Cities universities propose new ways to tackle climate change New studies highlight local collaboration to meet sustainability targets The Key Cities Innovation Network – a group of universities associated with […]
Manifesto calls for fundamental reset of local government
Key Cities – the national network representing 27 urban centres across the UK and 10% of the population – has today published a manifesto demanding the next government commits to a new fair funding outcome, with £4bn funding immediately distributed to local authorities. In the context of a council funding and resourcing crisis, Key Cities […]
Escalating homelessness crisis in UK cities
Dear Secretary of State, Following the Spring Budget, we are writing to urge you to deliver immediate interventions to relieve the escalating homelessness crisis that is threatening to overwhelm cities up and down the country, many of whom are now reaching breaking point. As a national network of 27 cities across England and Wales, Key […]
Key Cities is celebrating its tenth anniversary!
Together with the Key Cities APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Group) and Innovation Network, Key Cities continues to shape critical national conversations about cities, from climate and culture to skills and social care. We are committed to campaigning for the devolution of powers and funding for local authorities, so that businesses and communities up and down the […]
Government departments to move out of London
This decision comes as new figures released recently show that 16,061 roles have already been moved out of London, exceeding the Government’s commitment to relocate 15,000 roles by 2025. The announcements today include new second headquarters for the Department of Business and Trade in Darlington, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in Salford, […]
The King’s Speech: Supporting our key urban areas
Dear Prime Minister, We are writing to urge you to put the much-needed urgent reforms to our transport systems, housing strategy, clean energy agenda and the local government finance system at the heart of the upcoming King’s Speech in order to help urban councils up and down the country better serve their communities. As organisations […]
