Today (Sept 17), the Centre for Progressive Policy has announced the launch of the Inclusive Growth Network.
The network has been funded by the Joseph Rowntree foundation, and aims to allow member authorities to access peer-to-peer and tailored support in order to level the playing field across their communities.
The Network set to act as an incubator to develop, deliver and test new ideas about how local leaders can alleviate inequalities, reduce poverty and improve productivity in their communities, during the Coronavirus pandemic and thereafter.
Local authorities that have joined the Network include:
- Belfast City Council
- Bristol City Council
- Cardiff Council
- Greater Manchester Combined Authority
- Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
- Glasgow City Council
- Leeds City Council
- London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
- North Ayrshire Council
- North of Tyne Combined Authority
- Sheffield City Region Combined Authority
- West Midlands Combined Authority
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said:
“The coronavirus crisis has highlighted the already existing inconsistencies in equality across the UK. Getting the economy back on track is essential, but we simply cannot go back to the old way of doing things.
“A national one size fits all blanket approach does not work when tackling economic issues, we need to find new ways to address social inequalities at a local level which will last far beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.
“That is why local leaders need to join forces and support each other through the help of the Inclusive Growth Network, ensuring we build back better in a way that takes account of everyone.”
