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clesthinkdo.bsky.social
The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
@clesthinkdo.bsky.social
1.4K followers 1.2K following 140 posts
CLES is the national organisation for local economies. We're working towards a future where local economies benefit people, place and the planet.

🔗 cles.org.uk
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clesthinkdo.bsky.social
The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 13d
🚨 Public money is being siphoned out the care system in profits, with millions going to private equity and tax haven firms

@theguardian.com's @journo-jess.bsky.social has the story of our investigation into extraction from our care system ⤵️

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Private care providers in three English regions make £250m in three years
More than third of profits analysed went to firms owned by private equity or based in tax havens, research finds
www.theguardian.com
clesthinkdo.bsky.social
It's #GoodEmploymentWeek!

Today we publish our analysis with Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter showing that good employment can have a positive impact on:

🌟Productivity
🌟Profitability
🌟Morale
🌟Retention
🌟Reducing sick pay

🔗 cles.org.uk/publications...
November 24, 2025 at 9:21 AM
clesthinkdo.bsky.social
How do new opportunities link to people on the ground?

On BBC Politics NW this morning, @sarahlonglands.bsky.social explained how the benefits of @andyburnham.bsky.social's Good Growth Fund should enable people feel that their lives are getting better.

🎥 Watch here: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...
November 23, 2025 at 2:48 PM
clesthinkdo.bsky.social
'Dr @sarahlonglands.bsky.social, chief executive of Manchester-based think tank CLES, describes the fund as 'fiscally creative'. She says the Labour mayor is 'making the right noises' when it comes to building community wealth and procurement that supports the local supply chain' ⤵️
November 23, 2025 at 1:56 PM
clesthinkdo.bsky.social
Have you picked up your copy of the latest edition of the New Statesman yet? 🗞️

You'll find @leahmillthorne.bsky.social inside, writing about the @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social moment 🗳️👇

www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/20...
November 18, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Reposted by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
thekingsfund.bsky.social
Good housing & public transport often come hand in hand with good public health & tackling health inequalities. This essay, written with @clesthinkdo.bsky.social explores the role innovative housing & transport policies can be scaled to narrow health inequalities. https://bit.ly/3WXR69f
Essay: Affordable infrastructure | CLES
bit.ly
November 17, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Reposted by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
healthfoundation.bsky.social
How can strategic authorities use housing and public transport to tackle health inequalities?

We're pleased to have supported @clesthinkdo.bsky.social and @thekingsfund.bsky.social to explore the effectiveness of devolution in building healthy communities.

Read their latest essay ⬇️
clesthinkdo.bsky.social The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 12d
🏗️🚍 When housing & transport are unaffordable, good health is impossible

📖 This new essay from CLES & @thekingsfund.bsky.social shows how mayors & strategic authorities can tackle unaffordability and put people first through interventions like municipal ownership 👇

cles.org.uk/publications...
November 14, 2025 at 12:07 PM
clesthinkdo.bsky.social
New Yorkers have been living in a real life game of Monopoly. Until now. @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social's election promises a new local economic model

To deliver, he'll need the tools of community wealth building

@leahmillthorne.bsky.social in the New Statesman ⤵️

www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/20...
The Mamdani moment
What New York's next mayor could teach Britain's local leadership.
www.newstatesman.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:50 PM
clesthinkdo.bsky.social
🏗️🚍 When housing & transport are unaffordable, good health is impossible

📖 This new essay from CLES & @thekingsfund.bsky.social shows how mayors & strategic authorities can tackle unaffordability and put people first through interventions like municipal ownership 👇

cles.org.uk/publications...
November 13, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Reposted by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
sarahlonglands.bsky.social
Really proud that we are publishing this new work today as part of Reclaiming Our Regional Economies.

Making extraction visible - it matters because this is about using public resources effectively in the public interest
November 12, 2025 at 11:35 AM
clesthinkdo.bsky.social
As global leaders meet at #COP30, they must prioritise ensuring that local places are able to deliver exceptional public services & shared infrastructure, designed in response to local need 🖊️

Evelyn Henderson-Child and John Heneghan write for the MJ ⤵️

www.themj.co.uk/climate-tran...
The climate transition is local
The 30th annual climate summit (COP30) is underway in Belém, Brazil. It may feel distant from the daily realities of local government in the UK, but the tools to...
www.themj.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Reposted by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
thrivingplaces.bsky.social
Do you work for a local or combined authority? Want to know what you can do within the existing system? We are here to help.

Sign up for RORE's FREE webinar on 2 Dec @ 4pm.

With more than 70% of LA spending going into social care - it is time for change:

✍️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ending-ext...
Ending Extraction in the UK Care System: What Local Authorities Can Do
This webinar is a practical session presenting key insights from the publication on care sector profit extraction and its impact.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Reposted by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
jameslwright.bsky.social
1/ We won't have a financially viable state (or a happier society!) until we end the profit extraction taking place in care. In @theguardian.com today, a new report uncovers the extent of this extraction and highlights viable alternatives including #coops

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Private care providers in three English regions make £250m in three years
More than third of profits analysed went to firms owned by private equity or based in tax havens, research finds
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Reposted by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
leahmillthorne.bsky.social
Our new report out today outlines how our care system facilitates the extraction of value and wealth from places and local public service budgets, and explores what our communities, local and strategic authorities, and national governments can do about it. 📝💸📈
November 12, 2025 at 8:40 AM
clesthinkdo.bsky.social
🚨 Public money is being siphoned out the care system in profits, with millions going to private equity and tax haven firms

@theguardian.com's @journo-jess.bsky.social has the story of our investigation into extraction from our care system ⤵️

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Private care providers in three English regions make £250m in three years
More than third of profits analysed went to firms owned by private equity or based in tax havens, research finds
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Reposted by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
volunteerel.bsky.social
💬 What if the local economy truly worked for local people?

Community Wealth Building (CWB) is about building shared prosperity—right here in East Lothian.

✨ Follow along as we explore the pillars of CWB over the next two weeks.

bit.ly/EastLothianCWB

#CommunityWealthBuilding #EastLothian #CWB
November 10, 2025 at 11:54 AM
clesthinkdo.bsky.social
The new Pride in Place programme represents an opportunity to rebuild local civic and economic infrastructure with long-term financial support 🏘️

We’ve mapped the areas receiving funding 📍

Simon Grove-White writes 🖊️

cles.org.uk/blog/pride-i...
November 5, 2025 at 9:49 AM
clesthinkdo.bsky.social
The design of the business rates reset and multi-year settlements must match the rhetoric: we need a social infrastructure stabiliser.

Simrin Rahman writes for Public Finance magazine ⤵️

www.publicfinance.co.uk/opinion/2025...
The business rates reset risk | Public Finance
Simrin Rahman looks at what needs to happen alongside the Business Rates Retention Scheme reset to take advantage of the opportunity to deliver public value. - Short form article, Local government set...
www.publicfinance.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 3:52 PM
clesthinkdo.bsky.social
Mayors, council leaders, councillors and officers need to work with their local partners to redraw the economic rules and empower their communities 💪

Tom Lloyd Goodwin writes for The MJ ⤵️

www.themj.co.uk/local-growth...
Why local growth promotes unity
Community cohesion is formed in places, so while national direction is awaited, social cohesion – the bonds that bind and strengthen the UK – are under immense pressure....
www.themj.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 3:43 PM
clesthinkdo.bsky.social
"Can the Budget be a line in the sand where the Gov unleashes a new era of political empathy with difficulties such as paying the bills, having secure, well-paid work, somewhere to live, accessing services & getting care for loved ones?"

✒️ @sarahlonglands.bsky.social writes: www.themj.co.uk/new-era
A new era?
While for many working in policy, the forthcoming Budget is a key milestone in the political cycle, for most people it happens to them and then they are told how...
www.themj.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Reposted by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
jameslwright.bsky.social
100% agree strategic authorities should have a duty to target inclusive growth.
clesthinkdo.bsky.social The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · Oct 20
The English Devo Bill could rewire economies for people. With @sianberry.bsky.social we're tabling three improvements:

🪙 New clause 31: Community wealth building
❤️ Amendment 255: Health & wellbeing in all policies
🤝 New schedule 1 & new clause 29: Inclusive economies

✒️ cles.org.uk/blog/lets-do...
October 20, 2025 at 7:28 PM
clesthinkdo.bsky.social
The English Devo Bill could rewire economies for people. With @sianberry.bsky.social we're tabling three improvements:

🪙 New clause 31: Community wealth building
❤️ Amendment 255: Health & wellbeing in all policies
🤝 New schedule 1 & new clause 29: Inclusive economies

✒️ cles.org.uk/blog/lets-do...
October 20, 2025 at 10:54 AM
clesthinkdo.bsky.social
What happens when CLES and London Anchor Institutions' Network bring together the people behind the UK's anchor networks? 🤝

You get insights! 💡

Check out this new blog from Conrad Parke setting out five insightful observations about anchor networks ⚓

cles.org.uk/blog/five-le...
October 20, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Reposted by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
neweconomics.bsky.social
We hear a lot about the gender pay gap, but what about the gender wealth gap?

UK wealth analysis by @womensbudgetgrp.bsky.social shows that, on average, men hold around £78k more wealth than women - that's a gap of 21%!

Here @ignaciapinto.bsky.social explains more👇
neweconomics.org/2025/09/taxi...
Taxing wealth is a feminist issue
We hear a lot about the gender pay gap - but what about the gender wealth gap?
neweconomics.org
October 19, 2025 at 1:25 PM
clesthinkdo.bsky.social
🚨 New regional analysis of Pride in Place funding 🚨

We've crunched the numbers and found that the North is set to be a major benefactor of the government’s Pride in Place fund 🧮

Read all about it in today's @thenorthernagenda.bsky.social 📫

newsletters.e.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/-rESDdIxHn7C...
October 17, 2025 at 1:16 PM
clesthinkdo.bsky.social
🚨 Exciting new hire announcement

🎉 We're thrilled to welcome Evelyn Henderson-Child to CLES

🌳 Evelyn previously led a community wealth building initiative in north Edinburgh, all while completing an MSc in Ecological Economics

cles.org.uk/about-cles/p...
October 17, 2025 at 7:33 AM