The Government’s Devolution White Paper: implications for the West Midlands
The Government’s Devolution White Paper, published at the end of 2024, represents a significant moment for devolution in England and, by introducing a wider devolution framework, reinforces the position that local growth is best achieved through devolved governance. With the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) being one of the first regions to negotiate a devolution […]
The Hidden Costs of Housing Policy Fragmentation: Analysing Local Authority Divergence in Social Housing Implementation
“Picture a jigsaw puzzle where every piece comes from a different box, each cut to slightly different specifications. That’s our social housing landscape in 2025 – a complex tapestry of policies where every local authority seems to be playing by its own subtly different rulebook.” In this article, Joanna Lee-Mills (Partner and Head of Social […]
The problem isn’t going away – let’s introduce ‘Long Covid Champions’ into schools and workplaces
“In March 2020, many Europeans began to realise they were being affected by a new virus. Many of those who became infected recovered within the usual timescale and, as Lockdown progressed, some found they were unable to return to normal levels of activity and work. From this emerged a new illness called Long Covid or […]
How can we be more productive without more investment?
In this article, Gareth Jones (Head of Strategic Finance, Midlands at Virgin Money & Member of CNM’s People and Skills Leadership Board) asks the difficult question of “How can we be more productive without more investment?” (December 2024) The need for business to improve skills and increase productivity has been evident for too long. The […]
Wicked Problems and the Perils of Simplistic Technological Solutions
“In a world increasingly reliant on digital technologies and analytics, it’s tempting to assume they hold the key to addressing complex social challenges. However, when these tools are applied to ‘wicked problems’—complex, evolving issues like poverty or housing insecurity—they often oversimplify the complexity they aim to address, with potentially harmful consequences.” In this article, Dr […]
If the priority is growth, why don’t we actually talk ‘selling’?
‘Growth’ is at the heart of the new Government’s economic and political strategy. Its ability, or otherwise, to grow the economy will go someway to determining the future size and shape of our public services and the general state of the UK balance sheet. Whilst there has been such a relentless focus on the term […]
Systemic failures are still happening on our watch
Seven years after the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower which took 72 lives, a Member of the Centre for New Midlands Housing and Communities Leadership Board has called for a united response to address failures outlined in the final report into the Grenfell fire. Following the September publication of the final inquiry report, Mike Leonard, […]
CNM submit response to the Government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review call for evidence
The Centre for the New Midlands has submitted a response to the curriculum and assessment review which outlines several strengths and weaknesses within the current system. Here’s a summary of our submission: Strengths include a broad, knowledge-rich curriculum, particularly from KS1 to KS4, that works well for academic students, and a wide range of […]
Investing in graduate talent: Why it’s time for the West Midlands to do more
“The link between people, place and prosperity has never been so talked about and acted upon as in the last few years, particularly with the UK Shared Prosperity Fund promising to “invest in three local priorities: communities and place, support for local businesses and people and skills”. Yet the policy landscape – both locally and […]
National Youth Strategy – Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Nation
In this article, Diane Vernon MBE (CEO and Founder Director, EmployabilityUK & Member of CNM’s People and Skills Leadership Board) applauds the government’s plans to develop a new National Youth Strategy, but questions if the decision to close the National Citizen Service was a necessary one given its success in developing skills and respect for […]