News
UK Biofuel Policy: Economic Opportunity or Ecological Threat?
The UK Government has promoted bio-fuels as a major contribution in tackling global warming, however, there is now clear evidence that first generation bio-fuels suffer from serious eco-inefficiencies. Far from supporting development of sustainable energy alternatives, they may be adding to habitat loss, damaging carbon sinks, and deepening the problems of global hunger. Had policy-makers applied the principles of industrial symbiosis rather than adopting a silo mentality when shaping a policy they could have avoided many of these unintended detrimental consequences.
... moreRegeneration - How do we know its working?
Regeneration programmes are failing to reduce inequalities – and poor at measuring things that do. Research by the New Economics Foundation think tank, published this week, said government was repeating mistakes of the past. ... moreIs continual change of business support infrastructure contributing to the simplification agenda?
The Conservative Party’s Richard Report raises the concern that the state of permanent change in RDA business support “adds uncertainty to complexity: the two things all businesses wish to avoid”
... moreTo what extent does partnership contribute to economic development, effectiveness, efficiency or democracy?
Partnerships (voluntary and imposed) has become the password to influence and resource allocations but many operational staff doubt their efficiency. Recent The Work Foundation research suggests collaboration makes sense only when working together will achieve more benefits than any one party could acting alone.
... moreBusiness Improvement Districts (BID) & Business Rate Supplement (BRS)
(BID): A business led partnership identifying projects which will benefit businesses within a specified area and/or sector. (BRS): A Government proposal for local authorities to raise and retain a compulsory levy on all businesses with a rateable value of £50,000 and above. ... moreBritain is one city region – London! So invest in success?
The relevance and implications of city region policy in the UK have been hotly debated at recent IED conferences and are not universally agreed even although cities continue to drive the post-industrial economy.
... moreJobless Mix
While skills shortages are reported to be increasing by sectors and regions, the mix of the jobless keeps changing with the nature of the labour market and the welfare state. City Strategies target lone parents and and other benefits recipients rather than JSA groups but …..
... more