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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)

@clesthinkdo.bsky.social
1.5K followers 1.2K following 238 posts

Founded in 1986, the Centre for Local Economies is an independent economics think tank and charity. We work collaboratively to develop solutions that ensure economies are rooted in the places people call home. 🔗 cles.org.uk

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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Every pound of public money we spend has two jobs: It buys a service, but it also creates social, economic and environmental value. That’s what our Head of Scotland Naomi Mason told the Scottish Government’s Public Service Reform Committee earlier today.
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
🔗 cles.org.uk/news-events/...
cles.org.uk
CLES reacts to the prime minister’s speech at Labour Party Conference - CLES
Strong echoes of community wealth building There were strong echoes of community wealth building in Andy Burnham’s speech to Labour Party Conference this week. He began with the essentials of a good l...
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
There were strong echoes of community wealth building in Andy Burnham’s speech to Labour Party Conference this week. The next step is turning its principles into practical changes to how wealth, power and ownership work. Follow the link below for the full reaction from Sarah Longlands.
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Can the government's devolution agenda deliver healthier, wealthier and more equitable communities? CLES's Tom Lloyd Goodwin gave his assessment at The NHS Alliance's panel 'Devolution and health: delivering healthier, more prosperous communities' at Labour Party Conference this week.
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
🔗 cles.org.uk/aligning-com...
cles.org.uk
Aligning community wealth building with just transitions - CLES
This workshop guide is the product of a major two-year international research partnership funded by the British Academy, led by the University of Sussex (UK) and NorQuest College (Canada) and in colla...
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Net zero and economic development are deeply connected – but operate in silos. 🌱 CLES has released a new guide to help organisations better understand community wealth building and net zero, and how they relate to their work: increasing impact, efficiency and community benefit ⤵️
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
🔗 cles.org.uk/extraction-i...
cles.org.uk
Extraction in the Welsh learning disability supported living ecosystem - CLES
This report looks at providers of Learning Disability (LD) supported living, residential care and shared lives work to examine the extent and nature of profit making and extraction in service provisio...
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
🚨 £44 million. That’s the amount we estimate has leaked out of Wales’ learning-disability care system to private equity firms and companies based in tax havens. Read our latest report to find out where the money is going – and what needs to change 👇 @thrivingplaces.bsky.social
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
🔗 cles.org.uk/joining-the-...
cles.org.uk
Joining the dots of poverty and ownership - CLES
Who owns your street? Not who lives there – who owns it. The shop fronts, the vacant land at the back behind the high street, the waste ground nobody’s used in years. In most of Scotland, the answer i...
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Who owns your street? In most of Scotland, the answer is probably not the people who live around it. Ownership of our economy and our places is at the heart of community wealth building and it's central to tackling poverty. Read the latest Scottish Policy and Practice update from Naomi Mason ⤵️
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Mayors in England are set to be given the power to raise a visitor levy in their area 🙌 Our @rosielockwood.bsky.social spoke to LBC News about the move, explaining that if mayors use it, they should make every pound they raise work hard for their place 🪙
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Important update: Save the new date for the Community Wealth Building Summit! 📆 We’re moving the Summit to 24 March 2027 to make it the strongest, most impactful event possible 💪 Watch this space for speaker and ticket sales announcements, soon 👀
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
FM @johnswinney.bsky.social says he wants to “rewire the Scottish state”. But is the Scottish Government missing an opportunity to rewire the economy too? Our Head of Scotland, @naomimason.bsky.social, reflects on yesterday’s programme for government. 🔗 cles.org.uk/economic-gro...
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
🌱 Want to build a local economy that works for everyone? Join CLES online on the 10th of September for an introductory workshop on Community Wealth Building. 🎟️ Book your tickets here: cles.org.uk/event/an-int...
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Our high streets have changed. How we use them has changed. And who owns them has changed. But their future could be positive. @sarahlonglands.bsky.social spoke to @lbc.co.uk's Matthew Wright about what communities could build together next 📻⤵️ www.globalplayer.com/catchup/lbc/...
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
“It’s about pre-distribution, rewiring the economic system from the get-go so that economic and social benefits are spread more evenly” Our Evelyn Henderson-Child spoke to @aljazeera.com about how public policy can impact the cost of living crisis ⤵️ www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/...
aljazeera.com
Inside the UK’s ‘stressful’ cost of living crisis Burnham hopes to tackle
Britain's new premier has promised to ease the suffering of millions of families unable to afford basic items.
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Want a job that makes a difference & offers a 4-day week? We’re hiring our next Head of Finance & Operations! 💷 4 days, full pay 📍 Hybrid, 2 days/week in Manchester 🌱 Work for economies rooted in the places we call home 🤝 An org that lives our values Apply by Monday ⤵️ cles.org.uk/careers/head...
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Reposted by The Centre for Local Economies (CLES)
Economic Justice Brum @econjusticebrum.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
What happens when money intended for public services is extracted for private profit? @clesthinkdo.bsky.social is bringing people together in #Birmingham to look at wealth extraction, its impact on services & communities, and what we can do differently. 23 Sept | Priory Rooms luma.com/jb3hb866
luma.com
Plugging the leaks: in person meet up & workshops for people fighting wealth extraction · Luma
What An in person meet up for all those fighting wealth extraction from the resources and services we hold dear. History In June 2026 over 60 people attended a…
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Teesside deserves more than cashback devolution 📉 Ben Houchen had a better idea two months ago - a regional wealth fund 🏦 Read Dr Tom Lloyd Goodwin explain how a £100 rebate gives you £100 to spend once, but pooled could make a far bigger difference, via BDaily ⤵️ bdaily.co.uk/articles/202...
bdaily.co.uk
Teesside deserves more than cashback devolution
Ben Houchen had a better idea two months ago. In June, the Tees Valley mayor proposed creating a regional wealth fund.  The… | North East | Economy | Politics | Government | Politics | National |...
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
And Ian's here: cles.org.uk/our-team/ian...
cles.org.uk
Ian Bancroft - CLES
Ian has over 35 years public and social sector experience mainly within local authorities in England and Wales with 20 of these being at a senior leadership level and six years as a chief executive. H...
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
You can read Tracy's bio here: cles.org.uk/our-team/tra...
cles.org.uk
Tracy Bingham - CLES
Tracy Bingham is deputy chief executive and executive director for resources and transformation at South Derbyshire District Council. From the East Midlands, she returned to the region after studying ...
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
We are delighted to welcome two new trustees to the CLES Board 🤝 Tracy Bingham and Ian Bancroft are two outstanding leaders, with a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to creating economies that work for people and places 💪 We are thrilled to be working with them! 🎉
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Save the date! 📣 We are delighted to announce that this year's Community Wealth Building Summit will be coming to Manchester on Wednesday 11 November 📆 Plan to join us to explore how Community Wealth Building can help end trickle-down economics 💧 Watch this space as tickets go on sale soon! 🎟️
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Blog Preston @blogpreston.co.uk · 10/08/2026
We invited the authors of a new report on child poverty to explain what they found when looking into the state of the city
blogpreston.co.uk
Opinion: Why is child poverty rising more slowly in Preston? – Blog Preston
<p>Too often, child poverty is treated purely as a welfare issue. Our findings suggest it should also be understood as an economic one.</p>
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Benedikt Straňák @benediktstranak.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
New report + tool, making the case for municipal and community-led development
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Ever wondered what municipal or community-led development could look like in your area? 🏗️ Today we launch a free, practical tool to help councils & communities explore the possibilities and keep more value in the places we call home. 🧰 🔗 www.cles.org.uk/rethinking-property-led-regeneration
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
We're looking for a head of finance & operations to lead the finance & operational functions of our collaborative, supportive, and flexible team 🔍 Check out the application pack and apply here ⤵️ 🔗 cles.org.uk/careers/head...
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Congratulations to former Chair of the CLES Board, Bev Craig, on her election as Mayor of Greater Manchester 👏
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
This. Is. Big. The Prime Minister just announced that he will hand mayors a share of income tax. Our response ⤵️
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New Economics Foundation @neweconomics.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Read the full research from NEF, @clesthinkdo.bsky.social, @thrivingplaces.bsky.social and @cooperativesuk.bsky.social neweconomics.org/2025/11/endi... 3/3
neweconomics.org
Ending extraction in the UK care system
How our care system facilitates the extraction of value and wealth from places and local public service budgets
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
On last night's BBC Newsnight, when asked about the state of social care, @zackpolanski.bsky.social quoted our research with @thrivingplaces.bsky.social, @neweconomics.bsky.social & @cooperativesuk.bsky.social. Read 'Ending extraction in the UK care system' here: cles.org.uk/ending-extra...
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
"We need people powered politics" On Friday, Andy Burnham worked from Number 10 North for the first time Our chief executive Dr @sarahlonglands.bsky.social (who was also working from Manchester!) spoke to LBC News about how this new office must be for everybody
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
🔗 cles.org.uk/child-povert...
cles.org.uk
Child poverty and community wealth building in Preston - CLES
Since working with CLES to adopt community wealth building in 2013, Preston’s approach has become internationally recognised and has helped to shape community wealth building practice across the UK an...
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Since 2013, Preston's approach has helped to shape community wealth building practice across the UK and beyond. It might also be helping to tackle child poverty in the city. Our latest research suggests that that local councils can also make a difference on child poverty. Link below 👇
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
🔗 cles.org.uk/why-send-ref...
cles.org.uk
Why SEND reform must tackle profit, not just process - CLES
England’s SEND system is failing too many children and families. Support is too slow, too uneven and too hard to access. Parents are forced into battles for help from public services that should be ea...
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Public money for SEND should support children - not excessive profits. Our latest blog explores how gaps in local provision have fuelled reliance on costly external providers, and why meaningful reform must keep more funding focused on children, families and local services. Read more below. ⬇️
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
🔗Read our full response here: cles.org.uk/news-events/...
cles.org.uk
Centre for Local Economies reacts to Andy Burnham's election as Labour leader - CLES
Dr Sarah Longlands, chief executive of CLES commented: “Andy Burnham’s election as Labour leader opens up a significant opportunity to change the direction of Britain’s economy. His repeated call to e...
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
It’s official, Andy Burnham will become the next Labour leader and prime minister. In his speech today he will set out his ambition to fix the big things that politics has neglected. We're calling on him to use his first 100 days to show that those ambitions are not just political rhetoric
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
CLES chief executive Sarah Longlands was featured on BBC North West last night, delving into what a new mayor might mean for Greater Manchester’s transport system. 🐝 The challenge for the next mayor will be how to make life’s other essentials more affordable for people in the region.
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
🔗 cles.org.uk/resilient-th...
cles.org.uk
Resilient, thriving and healthy: building community wealth in York and North Yorkshire - CLES
This report sets out the findings of the York and North Yorkshire Community Wealth Building Commission, the first mayoral commission of its kind in England, which was supported by CLES. It offers a pr...
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
What if devolution could do more than drive economic growth? What if it could help build an economy that genuinely works for everyone? Today we're launching the final report of the York and North Yorkshire Community Wealth Building Commission – the first of its kind in England. Link below 👇
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
📢 Hot off the press 📢 Burnham wants to call time on trickle-down economics. Luckily for him, Tom Lloyd Goodwin has developed a plan to make it happen 📜 From devolving thinking to establishing a Good Growth Test, read the plan in today's @labourlist.bsky.social ⤵️ labourlist.org/2026/07/a-te...
labourlist.org
'A ten-point plan for ending trickle-down economics' - LabourList
Ten ideas to help Andy Burnham move away from the broken model of trickle down economics from the Centre for Local Economies.
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THRE (Third Sector Human Rights and Equalities) @thre-equal.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Miss our sold-out webinar on community wealth building? You can now access the recording of Evelyn Henderson-Child's presentation by visiting thre.org.uk/course/webinars/ @clesthinkdo.bsky.social
Laptop floating against a green background. On the laptop is a screenshot from the webinar recording.
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New Economics Foundation @neweconomics.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Private care companies suck wealth from local areas and public budgets to feed their profits, instead of providing the best care. Executive pay booms while frontline workers receive little more than minimum wage. We want to end extraction in the care system. Here's why... 1/2
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
☀️ Our annual away day ☀️ This week we're in beautiful Windermere, taking time to come together as a team, reflect on the moment we're in, and plan how we can make an even bigger positive difference to local economies over the coming year 🤝
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
The North is "a state of mind" and Westminster doesn't always know best... CLES Chief Executive Sarah Longlands was interviewed for The Guardian's Tuesday briefing this week - read her reflections for the potential new chancellor here: 🔗 www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
theguardian.com
Tuesday briefing: What challenges would Ed Miliband face as chancellor?
In today’s newsletter: Former Reasons to Be Cheerful guests on the challenges facing the presumptive next occupant of No 11 Downing Street
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
"The foundational economy is where most people work – and where everyday living standards are determined." Julian Boys uses his Bdaily column to highlight the importance of putting the foundational economy at the heart of decision-making in the North East. bdaily.co.uk/articles/202...
bdaily.co.uk
Time for strategy built on the foundational economy
The North East is rightly proud of its cutting-edge sectors that include advanced manufacturing and clean energy. But new analysis suggests… | North East | Economy | Politics | Industrial Strategy | G...
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
The North East's economy depends far more on everyday sectors like care, retail, hospitality and construction than the government's high-growth industries. Our new report makes the case for putting the foundational economy at the centre of regional growth. 🔗 cles.org.uk/strengthenin...
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
“Privatisation is no longer simply a political idea but a way of life for local government.” Sarah Longlands uses her latest TheMJ column to reflect on Andy Burnham's economic vision, and an opportunity to empower local government 🔗 www.themj.co.uk/taking-contr...
themj.co.uk
Taking back control
At the Centre for Local Economies (CLES) 40th birthday party in April, Andy Burnham said that we needed to ‘call time on trickle-down' when it comes to economic...
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The Centre for Local Economies (CLES) @clesthinkdo.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
The first phase of English devolution was about powers 💪 But the next phase must be about value: who creates it, who captures it, and whether it is reinvested in the places & people that made it possible 👛 Tom Lloyd Goodwin for @publicsectorfocus.bsky.social ⤵️ flickread.com/edition/html...
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