City Talks: High streets back on the agenda

Andrew Carter, Chief Executive, is joined by Jess Tulasiewicz, Head of Public Affairs and Policy, and Director of Policy and Research Anthony Breach to recap Labour Party Conference 2026. They discuss our ‘In Conversation’ sessions with the mayors, implications from the leader’s speech and the atmosphere inside the secure zone.

Andrew Carter, Chief Executive, is joined by Mike Emmerich, Founding Director of Metro Dynamics and former Chief Executive of New Economy Manchester, to discuss his forthcoming book, The Knowledge Broker: Sir Howard Bernstein's Manchester and Lessons for National Renewal, due out in March 2027. They also discuss his independent devolution review, Bringing Dynamism into Place, which examines the institutional capability, leadership and partnerships needed to turn devolution into sustainable economic growth across the UK.  

Chief Executive Andrew Carter is joined by Director of Policy and Research Anthony Breach to discuss good growth in every postcode, overnight visitor levies, corporation tax and why it should be part of the fiscal devolution debate and the roadmap that we'll see at the October budget.

Chief Executive Andrew Carter is joined by Jess Tulasiewicz, Head of Public Affairs and Policy, and Director of Policy and Research Anthony Breach to recap the many announcements that have come since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister in July. They discuss the significant shift of politicians to Number 10 North, devolution progress, tackling the NEETs challenge and what we expect will be coming next this autumn. 

Chief Executive Andrew Carter is joined by Jasbir Basi, Head of Corporate Affairs at SSE, to discuss cities, net zero, green energy and what's changed in the the two years since we published 'Accelerating net zero delivery: What can UK cities learn from around the world?'.

Chief Executive Andrew Carter is joined by Oscar Selby, Analyst, to discuss The Government’s plans to give councils and communities the ability to tighten permissions needed for vape shops and refuse new betting shops on their high streets. They explore why high streets continue to be an important topic for successive governments and what it actually takes to regenerate a high street.

Director of Policy and Research Ant Breach is joined by Jess Tulasiewicz, Head of Public Affairs and Policy, and Oscar Selby, Analyst, to discuss the big devolution announcements that came last Friday. They discuss the seven-page document published by the Cabinet and breakdown some of the key changes that will be coming down the line and what they mean for people in their places.

Andrew Carter, Chief Executive, is joined by the Mayor of Cleveland, Justin Bibb, to discuss what lessons can be learned from Cleveland for UK mayors and local government.

Chief Executive Andrew Carter is joined by Ant Breach, Director of Policy and Research, and Maurice Lange, Senior Analyst, to discuss Andy Burnham’s emphasis on council house building and how it fits into the wider urban housing crisis. They discuss the scale of the shortfall in UK housing, the role of planning reform, and the practical implications of councils building more homes.

Chief Executive Andrew Carter is joined by Ant Breach, Director of Policy and Research, and Jess Tulasiewicz, Head of Public Affairs and Policy, to discuss the urban implications of Andy Burnham's latest speech where he laid out his vision for the country should he become the new Prime Minister.