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PODCAST

LED Confidential

LED Confidential

Podcast about local economic development and placemaking. Co-hosted by Mike Spicer of PolicyDepartment and David Marlow of Third Life Economics. Mike, David and guests address the divisive, often unspoken issues facing economic development professionals in 2020s Britain. Website: www.ledconfidential.co.uk

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All Episodes

00:11:42

Can the Oxford-Cambridge corridor become Europe’s...

LED Confidential ·

2025/11/24

In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike unpack the UKGovernment’s £500m investment in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor. With ambitions to create “Europe’s Silicon Valley,” the episode explores whether this mix of public and private investment, statutory development corporations, and transport infrastructure is a one-off or a replicable model for other UK growth corridors. They also reflect on the political complexities, the role of local governance, and the importance of inclusive innovation. Is

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00:49:43

Liquid assets: rethinking water’s role in economic...

LED Confidential ·

2025/11/17

In this special guest episode, LED Confidential welcomes Alex Plant, CEO of Scottish Water, for a deep dive into the role of water utilities in local economic development. With £110 billion of investment planned across the UK over the next five years, Alex shares insights on how water infrastructure can unlock housing, attract inward investment, and support climate adaptation through nature-based solutions and blue-green infrastructure.Drawing on experiences from Scotland, England, and global best

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00:11:29

Rethinking post-16 education for local economies in...

LED Confidential ·

2025/11/13

Is the UK’s new Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper a game-changer—or just more policy noise? Mike and David explore the future of vocational qualifications, civic colleges, and adult learning in this Espresso Shot. Listen now for a fast paced take on what it means for local economic development and local skills improvement plans.Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper

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00:11:29

New Towns, new rules: reimagining growth for the 2030s?

LED Confidential ·

2025/10/28

In this Espresso Shot episode David and Mike take a closer look at the New Towns Taskforce Final Report—commissioned by the UK Government. With 12 sites proposed and Development Corporations to lead delivery, the episode explores how this new wave of towns reframes post-war policy for today’s challenges. What does it all mean for the future of housing delivery, infrastructure, and economic development in the country? Tune in to learn more!Access bonus materials for this and other episodes over at

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00:09:42

Reorganising Local Government in England: 17...

LED Confidential ·

2025/10/22

In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike dive into the September 2025 submissions for new unitary councils from Devolution Priority Programme areas in England—Norfolk, Suffolk, Greater Essex, Greater Sussex, Hampshire and Solent—and the 17 unitary proposals they’ve produced. With population sizes ranging from 146,000 to over 900,000, and council tax politics fueling local tensions, what does this wave of reorganisation mean for local economic development, placemaking and sector professionals

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00:12:11

Pride In Place Programme: promise or patchwork?

LED Confidential ·

2025/10/15

In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike look at the UK Government's new Pride in Place strategy and funding programme—a £5 billion commitment to hyper-local economic development across hundreds of 'doubly disadvantaged' neighbourhoods. Is this a genuine shift towards community-led renewal, or just another fragmented initiative from the centre They revisit insights from previous episodes with John Denham and John Houghton, exploring how neighbourhood boards, capital funds, and

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00:42:26

Total Place 2.0 and the politics of belonging

LED Confidential ·

2025/10/06

David and Mike are joined by John Denham—former UK Government Minister and present Director of the Centre for English Identity and Politics—to unpack the rise of English identity politics and its limplications for place-based inclusive growth in the country. From the imitations of current devolution strategies to the transformative potential of Total Place 2.0, LEDC explores how local leaders can build cohesive communities in an era of fragmentation. Expect insights on neighbourhood governance,

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00:11:53

Is economic inactivity now the UK's biggest growth...

LED Confidential ·

2025/09/26

In this episode David and Mike unpack the demographic shifts reshaping local economies. From the Bank of England’s warning on economic inactivity to the ONS’s mid-year population estimates and the so-called fertility crisis, the data paints a complex picture of ageing populations, challenges of out-migration in places, and worryingly low rates of labour market participation. How might transport policy, spatial planning, and extending access to further education reverse economic decline and better

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00:12:02

Political instability, organisational churn, and the...

LED Confidential ·

2025/09/22

In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike explore the growing political instability reshaping local economic development and placemaking in the UK. With the Reform Party gaining ground, over 40% of English councils now in no overall control, and local government distracted by the looming reorganisation, what does this mean for forward planning, community cohesion, and officer-led decision making? From the Royal Geographical Society’s reflections to grassroots business networks stepping into the

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00:10:40

After the ministerial shake-up at MHCLG: what’s next...

LED Confidential ·

2025/09/16

In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike return from the 2025 summer break to unpack the major shake-up at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). With Angela Rayner’s resignation and a new ministerial team in place, they explore what these changes could mean for local economic development and placemaking in the UK. What impact will new appointments like Steve Reed and Miatta Fahnbulleh have on housing, planning, and devolution agendas? And how can local leaders and

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00:11:01

Summer reflections: blue sky thinking for place leaders

LED Confidential ·

2025/08/08

What inspires transformation when the policy treadmill slows? And how can science fiction, cinema, and Nokia guide your next move?

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00:11:33

Health meets place: the NHS 10-Year Plan and local...

LED Confidential ·

2025/08/01

Can NHS reform be a catalyst for local economic renewal? Or will institutional churn stall the promise of community health?

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00:36:35

Place before sectors? Rethinking UK industrial...

LED Confidential ·

2025/07/25

In this episode, David and Mike are joined by Paul Swinney to explore the UK’s new industrial strategy. They ask: does it finally embrace a place-based model of economic development? And can it tackle the UK’s long-standing productivity challenge? From sectoral strengths and urban clustering to Freeports, fiscal devolution and the role of universities, this wide-ranging conversation challenges conventional thinking and offers a grounded take on what local leaders should do next.

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00:11:43

Infrastructure or illusion? Assessing the UK’s new...

LED Confidential ·

2025/07/18

Can the UK finally overcome its infrastructure inertia? Or will local leaders be eft without the resources they need to deliver much-needed projects?

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00:12:31

Happiness rankings: insightful or irrelevant for...

LED Confidential ·

2025/07/11

In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike explore whether happiness rankings and well-being metrics have any real value in local economic development and placemaking. They ask: are these measures meaningful tools for policy—or just headline fodder? And if happiness does matter, how should it be measured and used by LED professionals?

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00:46:56

Feeding the future: rethinking local economies...

LED Confidential ·

2025/07/04

In this episode, David and Mike are joined by Professor Kevin Morgan to explore the foundational economy—what it is, why it matters, and how it’s reshaping local economic development. They ask: how can food systems, especially public sector food provisioning, become a catalyst for community wealth and well-being? And what can the Welsh experience teach us about embedding foundational principles into policy and practice? From school meals to multi-level governance, this conversation challenges

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00:09:50

Water and place: threat, opportunity or both?

LED Confidential ·

2025/06/27

In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike explore the economic implications of flooding and water scarcity. They ask: are water-related risks a barrier to growth or a strategic opportunity for innovation and regeneration? From smart water management and wetland restoration to the blue green economy and new demands from the infrastructure powering AI, they unpack how water intersects with local economic development and placemaking.

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00:26:22

Spending Review 2025: A turning point for local...

LED Confidential ·

2025/06/20

In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike unpack the 2025 Spending Review and ask: is this the moment local economic development and placemaking finally get the long-term backing they need? And will Integrated Settlements, Green Book reforms and 10-year capital deals really change the game for Mayoral Combined Authorities and their partners? They explore what SR25 means for funding stability, local autonomy, and the future of hyper local regeneration—and what it will take to turn ambition into

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00:33:22

Joining the dots: universities, policy, and...

LED Confidential ·

2025/06/13

In this episode, David and Mike speak with Sarah Chaytor about the University Policy Engagement Network (UPEN) in the UK and the evolving role of universities in shaping public policy. They ask: how can academic expertise be better integrated into local and national policymaking? And what does it take for universities to move from transactional relationships to long-term civic partnerships that support place-based development?

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00:12:43

What does the rise of the Reform Party mean for...

LED Confidential ·

2025/06/05

In this Espresso Shot episode, David and Mike examine theimplications of the Reform Party’s rise to local power in England following the May 2025 local government elections. With new Reform Mayors and councils now in place, they explore what this means for local economic development, public service delivery, and the future of place leadership. They discuss the challenges facing officers in these authorities. Will the realities of office reshape Reform’s agenda or deepen the divide between national

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104 results

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