What next for fiscal devolution in urban areas?

LSE's Prof Neil Lee explored what fiscal devolution should look like, how it should connect to the wider question of the UK’s economic strategy, and whether we are ready for the necessary political and economic trade-offs it would bring.

Prof Lee - Professor of Economic Geography and Chair of the Regional Studies Association - was joined by Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council; Zoë Billingham, Director of IPPR North; and Anthony Breach, Associate Director of the Centre for Cities.

Catch up on the panel here.

How would a place-based approach to R&D create growth?

LSE's Dr Anna Valero examined how a region-specific programme of research and development (R&D) investment could benefit underperforming city regions across the UK.

Dr Valero - Director of the Centre for Economic Performance (CEP) Growth Programme at LSE, Distinguished Policy Fellow, and member of the Office for Budget Responsibility Advisory Panel - was joined by Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, and Lou Cordwell, Chair of the Greater Manchester Business Board and Professor of Innovation at the University of Manchester. 

Catch up on the panel here.

Why cities need denser housing

LSE's Dr Nancy Holman assessed the sensitive topic of increasing the housing density of the UK's cities. Why is it important to our urban areas? How can we challenge and overcome negative perceptions of densification? How is the UK's low housing density affecting its productivity?

Dr Holman - Associate Professor of Urban Planning and Director of Planning Studies - was joined by Cllr James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council; Phil Mayall, Managing Director of Muse Places; and Anthony Breach, Associate Director of the Centre for Cities. 

Catch up on the panel here.

Decarbonising the UK's housing stock

LSE's Prof Nick Robins led a discussion on the vexed question of the carbon emissions related to the UK's housing stock. How can we create energy-efficient, carbon neutral and climate resilient housing? What policy is needed to accelerate the decarbonisation of the UK’s housing stock?

Prof Robins - Professor in Practice for Sustainable Finance at LSE’s Grantham Research Institute and co-founder of the Financing the Just Transition Alliance - was joined by Dr Alan Whitehead MP, Shadow Minister for Energy Security, and Emma Fletcher, Low Carbon Homes Director at Octopus Energy. 

Catch up on the panel here.