Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Growth and Reform Network

The Health Foundation @healthfoundation.bsky.social · 3h

We are pleased to support this new report from our colleagues @growthandreform.bsky.social, exploring how national policy can help local and regional government to embed health outcomes in economic development and ensure inclusive growth.

Read more⬇️

Growth and Reform Network @growthandreform.bsky.social · 21h

📄New report | Inclusive Growth, Healthy Places

We have launched a new report supported by @healthfoundation.bsky.social focusing on the role of national government in creating the conditions for integrating health and economic development at place level

Read👇
growthandreform.org/resource-hub...

Report cover page with the Growth and Reform Network and Health Foundation logos at the top. The title of the report is: Inclusive Growth, Healthy Places: How national policy can help realise the potential for devolution

2 1

Growth and Reform Network @growthandreform.bsky.social · 21h

📄New report | Inclusive Growth, Healthy Places

We have launched a new report supported by @healthfoundation.bsky.social focusing on the role of national government in creating the conditions for integrating health and economic development at place level

Read👇
growthandreform.org/resource-hub...

2 2

Growth and Reform Network @growthandreform.bsky.social · Sep 16

Powering Places: How the industrial strategy can deliver nationwide renewal

Join this event on 29 Sept with @futuregovforum.bsky.social & Equinix at Labour Party Conference to hear from @mayorhelengodwin.bsky.social @annabel-smith.bsky.social Alex Bevan & James Tyler on growth delivery in the UK 👇

1 1

Reposted by Growth and Reform Network

Smart Thinking @smartthinking.bsky.social · Sep 3

Last chance to apply! @growthandreform.bsky.social's two new openings close for applications on Monday - if you are looking for your first or next step into a think tank then look no further and apply:

Senior Researcher: bit.ly/4m0YLxJ

Operations Manager: bit.ly/4nbKTS8

1

Growth and Reform Network @growthandreform.bsky.social · Sep 1

🚨A few days left to apply!

We are currently recruiting for an Operations Manager and a Senior Researcher to join our small and dynamic team.

🔗Learn more about the roles and apply: growthandreform.org/about-us/our...

Our team

Find out more about our team

growthandreform.org

1

Growth and Reform Network @growthandreform.bsky.social · Aug 29

🚨Job opportunity: Senior Researcher

We are recruiting for a senior researcher to manage our research programme in support of inclusive growth, impactful devolution and public service reform policy

📄Learn more about the job and apply: growthandreform.org/about-us/job...

A job ad image for the Growth and Reform Network. Text:
Senior Researcher
We are recruiting for a Senior Researcher to manage our research programme in support of inclusive growth, impactful devolution and public service reform policy.

Location: Flexible, with a London base
Contract: Full time, Permanent
Salary: £40,000-£45,000 FTE
Deadline: 23:59 on Sunday 7th September 2025

2

Growth and Reform Network @growthandreform.bsky.social · Aug 26

In July, the GRN convened leaders from local and central government, the NHS, and VCSE sector for a roundtable hosted by GMCA

The discussion focused on the scale of opportunity and challenges of marrying preventative strategies with delivery in places. Read more👇
growthandreform.org/ign-insights...

Roundtable briefing: A preventative approach to public services

Place leaders came together in Manchester to explore the prevention demonstrator approach

growthandreform.org

Growth and Reform Network @growthandreform.bsky.social · Aug 26

July was a historic month for devolution and the mission to reshape the state, moving power closer to local communities.

@annabel-smith.bsky.social, Director of the Growth and Reform Network, sets out how to effectively embed place-led collaboration

🔗Read more: growthandreform.org/ign-insights...

From duty to delivery

Collaboration is no longer optional – it is part of the statutory fabric.

growthandreform.org

Growth and Reform Network @growthandreform.bsky.social · Aug 22

🚨We are #hiring!

We are recruiting for an Operations Manager to oversee daily operations for our small and dynamic team, ensuring efficiency and productivity.

📍Flexible location (London base)
🗓️Deadline: 7th September

Find out more and apply 🔗
growthandreform.org/about-us/job...

A job ad image for the Growth and Reform Network. Text:
Operations Manager
We are recruiting for an Operations Manager to oversee daily operations for our small and dynamic team, ensuring efficiency and productivity.

Location: Flexible, with a London base
Contract: Full time, Permanent
Salary: £33,000-£35,000 FTE
Deadline: 23:59 on Sunday 7th September 2025

1

Growth and Reform Network @growthandreform.bsky.social · Aug 22

We are #hiring!

We are recruiting for a Senior Researcher to manage our research programme in support of inclusive growth, impactful devolution and public service reform policy.

📍Flexible location (London base)
🗓️Deadline: 7th September

Find out more and apply 🔗
growthandreform.org/about-us/job...

Reposted by Growth and Reform Network

Local Government Association (LGA) @local.gov.uk · Jul 3

Councils across England could unlock £276 billion of untapped economic potential with support from the government to break down place-specific barriers to growth.

That’s more than a 10th of national output.

Read more about new analysis revealed today: www.local.gov.uk/about/news/h...

Image of an area of England showing different regions. Overlaid is the text: England's hidden quarter trillion. Local authorities across England are sitting on at least £276 billion of untapped economic opportunity that could be released by tackling place-specific barriers to growth.

2 2 4

Reposted by Growth and Reform Network

Rosie Fogden @rosiefogden.bsky.social · Jun 11

What was great about today's CSR?

🏠investment in social infrastructure - £39bn for affordable homes
🕰️longer term settlements - 10 yr capital investment fund for some city regions
🧒prevention focus - early intervention in childrens social care
📗reflective government - green book review

(1/2)

1 1

Growth and Reform Network @growthandreform.bsky.social · May 22

📢 We're #hiring!
Join the Growth and Reform Network as our new Communications & Engagement Officer. Help shape inclusive economic growth and public service reform across the UK.

📍 Flexible location (London base)
💼 £29–34k, FT, Perm
📅 Apply by 3rd June
🔗 www.progressive-policy.net/about-us/car...

APPG on Inclusive Growth

inclusivegrowth.co.uk

1 2

Reposted by Growth and Reform Network

Rosie Fogden @rosiefogden.bsky.social · May 21

Message for UK mayors building new institutions and relationships with councils and citizens (from Prof Jorrit de Jong speaking at @instituteforgovernment.org.uk ):

1. See the opportunity in new institutions- structure to follow strategy
2. Build trust by telling stories of self us and now

2 1

Reposted by Growth and Reform Network

Rosie Fogden @rosiefogden.bsky.social · May 15

ICYMI: @resfoundation.bsky.social promoting investment in social infra at SR25 esp. housing and health

Exciting to see @centrepropolicy.bsky.social arguments cutting through - growth must be based on realising the potential of more people and places
www.resolutionfoundation.org/publications...

Capital gains • Resolution Foundation

This report assesses the UK’s public investment challenges ahead of the 2025 Spending Review, highlighting legacy weaknesses in social infrastructure spending and setting out how targeted investment c...

www.resolutionfoundation.org

1

Reposted by Growth and Reform Network

The Future Governance Forum (FGF) @futuregovforum.bsky.social · May 8

How should the government get to where it needs to on health?

A new blog by @charlotteaugst.bsky.social/ considers how health policy can be better delivered as a meeting of national & local health leaders in Leeds today, discusses the health neighbourhood agenda ⬇️
open.substack.com/pub/futurego...

Public service reform: Changing the rules of the game

Written by Charlotte Augst, a voluntary and community sector leader.

open.substack.com

3 2

Reposted by Growth and Reform Network

Rosie Fogden @rosiefogden.bsky.social · Apr 30

📣Six weeks’ paternity leave at 90% of average earnings could deliver a net economic gain of £2.68bn per year

@tanyasingh99.bsky.socials fabulous economic analysis with @jrf-uk.bsky.social featured in @financialtimes.com yesterday and in a new blog on the CPP site today 👏

www.ft.com/content/5c4a...

3 3

Growth and Reform Network @growthandreform.bsky.social · Apr 30

Britain’s paternity leave offer is meagre: two weeks, poorly paid, and inaccessible to many.

We teamed up with @jrf-uk.bsky.social to ask what a better paternity leave system could deliver for Britain.

The result? A boost to growth while supporting families.

Read more at: bit.ly/44LEiaW

Paternity leave, rewritten

CPP teams up with The Joseph Rowntree Foundation to explore what a better paternity leave offer could deliver for Britain.

www.progressive-policy.net

4 9

Growth and Reform Network @growthandreform.bsky.social · Apr 29

It’s smart policy: low fiscal cost, high social return. A rare win-win.

🔗 Find the full report here: www.jrf.org.uk/work/improvi...

🔗 Find today's coverage in the FT here: www.ft.com/content/5c4a...

Growth and Reform Network @growthandreform.bsky.social · Apr 29

The biggest gains? Among low and middle-income households where current leave is least accessible.

Our modelling draws on 28 studies across 16 countries and finds that the key driver is a rise in women’s working hours.

🧑‍🍼 More dads at home → 💼 more mums in paid work → 💷 real GDP gains.

2/3

1

Growth and Reform Network @growthandreform.bsky.social · Apr 29

🚨 Britain’s paternity leave system is failing families - and the economy.

New analysis from The Centre for Progressive Policy and @jrf-uk.bsky.social shows that offering 6 weeks of paternity leave at 90% pay could deliver a £2.68bn net economic boost each year👇
🧵1/3

Joseph Rowntree Foundation @jrf-uk.bsky.social · Apr 29

UK’s paternity leave entitlement is worst in Europe – just 2 weeks on low pay

A more generous offer will support families financially and help them make more equal choices around who cares

For the first time @centrepropolicy.bsky.social modelling for JRF establishes the economic benefits too 🔽 1/2

"The UK has the worst paternity leave offer in Europe. Making Statutory Paternity Leave more generous will deliver on financial security for families and economic growth." Louise Woodruff, Senior Policy Adviser at JRF.

1 2 2

Reposted by Growth and Reform Network

Abby Jitendra @abbyabhaya.bsky.social · Apr 29

NEW analysis from @jrf-uk.bsky.social & @centrepropolicy.bsky.social shows how improving paternity leave can boost UK growth

Data from countries with more generous leave shows it tackles gender norms & helps women into work, with an economy-wide benefit of £2.8bn

www.ft.com/content/5c4a...

MPs urge Rachel Reeves to extend paternity leave

Calls come as research suggests UK economy would benefit from more generous offering to new fathers

www.ft.com

2 22 42

Growth and Reform Network @growthandreform.bsky.social · Apr 3

With the economic background becoming increasingly challenging, it is time to rethink outdated assumptions.

@tanyasingh99.bsky.social identifies three growth myths that have previously constrained economic policy making - and will continue to do so if they are not left behind👇
bit.ly/3FP4cAt

This or That-ism? Growth myths that are holding back the economy

Tanya Singh busts 3 dichotomous growth myths that are holding back growth.

bit.ly

Reposted by Growth and Reform Network

Annabel Smith @annabel-smith.bsky.social · Mar 28

There is clearly an imperative to grip the ballooning welfare bill and rising economic inactivity due to ill health. The challenge is that the interventions that will tackle the root causes - preventative public health, employment support, joined up training and pathways - are stretched further.

Rosie Fogden @rosiefogden.bsky.social · Mar 26

I don’t envy Rachel Reeves today. While rigid fiscal rules can encourage short-termism and hinder investment its hard to argue that she is in a position to borrow more money. But her decisions to slash disability benefits and support for those with health conditions lacks long term strategy

1 1 1

Growth and Reform Network @growthandreform.bsky.social · Mar 27

With the government's Industrial Strategy being published in June and Local Growth Plans being finalised, Annabel Smith and Tanya Singh look to the productivity crisis occurring on your high streets in a new article for the MJ 👇
www.themj.co.uk/bringing-bri...

3/3

Bringing Britain out of its productivity crisis

UK productivity has stagnated and nowhere is this more evident than in the sectors that keep our towns and cities running – retail, social care, hospitality and...

www.themj.co.uk