Key Cities welcomes two new member cities
Two additional cities have joined Key Cities, the national network that represents urban living in the UK, strengthening the network’s ability to shape national policy, disseminate and scale fresh concepts, and promote economic and social development. Cumberland and Stoke-on-Trent will be joining the growing network of cities that represent a broad political and geographical spread […]
Party conference wrap up
Our ‘Impactful Investing’ event in Manchester, on the fringe of the Conservative party conference, acknowledged that private sector investment is key to the regeneration of urban centres up and down the country. However, to attract businesses and capital, the panel agreed that cities must have clear visions and long-term plans – infrastructure, connectivity and skills […]
New report on skills
The report, Skills for Cities, Skills for Life, has been published in the context of many local authorities across the country seeing their financial models coming under incredible budgetary pressures. Alongside necessary short-term measures and a fair funding deals, Key Cities is using the report launch to call for greater devolution of skills powers and […]
Key Cities Autumn Events
In early October we will join forces with Onward and Core Cities to talk about private sector investment for city regeneration and net zero sustainability at a fringe event at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester. The week after we will be exploring how councils can achieve net zero at our fringe event hosted by […]
John Merry: Sluggish devolution of powers is hampering climate action
The government has made much of its levelling up agenda in recent years, along with its publicised goals of devolving powers to the regions and endowing communities and local authorities across the country with means to make the all-important decisions on matters that will affect them. Yet for all its promise, the government’s stated ambition […]
Key Cities AGM Highlights: Quality and Affordable Housing
The meeting, which brought together leaders from across the UK, served as an invaluable opportunity to reflect on the past year, share knowledge and discuss some of the most pressing issues facing our cities today. Above all, it reiterated the need for more devolved powers, greater flexibility in government funding and transparency in funding allocations. […]
How do we solve the UK’s climate crisis? Look to our local authorities
As the world looks set to pass the 1.5C warming threshold in five years’ time, city and town halls across the country have consistently created meaningful climate policies that benefit people and planet. But if such activity is to be long-lasting and truly impactful, it needs the support and commitment of central government. Unfortunately, this […]
Look ahead to UKREiiF
Major UK cities and regions will be brought together alongside Government, investors, funders, developers and housebuilders, for a full programme of talks, workshops and networking. It’s an unparalleled opportunity for city leaders to showcase the potential of their places, attract investment and drive levelling up – for the benefit of both their local economies and […]
Spring Budget response
We welcome the Government’s ambition for a ‘devolution revolution’, and the introduction of two trailblazer deals and 12 investment zones will certainly support the levelling up agenda in those areas – many of which are in Key Cities’ membership. However, numerous towns and cities will miss out on such initiatives, so we urge the Government […]
Culture and Place in Britain – Why a healthy cultural offer and a community’s economic wellbeing go hand in hand
This aspect often gets lost, but a new Key Cities report, Culture and Place in Britain, highlights the correlation between low cultural engagement and deprivation, and calls for a more inclusive approach to stimulating our economies. By looking at what culture means to Key Cities’ 27 member cities and beyond, and how this translates into […]
