Liquid assets: rethinking water’s role in economic development and placemaking
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 practice, Alex gives his expert take on the potential of water companies as anchor institutions, the impact of ownership models, and the urgent need for strategic regional planning. From smart canals in Glasgow to wetlands in Norfolk, this episode reveals how water can be a catalyst for prosperity—if we’re bold enough to rethink how we plan and collaborate.Independent Water Commission Review of the sector in England and Wales
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Rethinking post-16 education for local economies in England?
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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New Towns, new rules: reimagining growth for the 2030s?
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 the LEDC website: Bonus materials | LED Confidential
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Reorganising Local Government in England: 17 proposals, 56 councils -zero consensus?
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? What does it mean for the future of devolved government in the country? Tune in to learn more!Access bonus material for this and other episodes over at the LEDC website: Bonus materials | LED Confidential
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Pride In Place Programme: promise or patchwork?
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 devolved ambitions might (or might not) come together. Can Pride In Place deliver more than just pockets of progress? Tune in to learn more!Access bonus materials for this and other episodes over at the LEDC website: Bonus materials | 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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