The New Statesman’s annual Regional Development Conference is a day of fascinating insights and discussions centred around the most pressing questions for the future of regional development and local growth and prosperity.
Putting more power in the hands of voters has become a popular political promise. Since the UK decided to turn its back on Brussels, parties are now finding the idea of shifting decision-making away from Westminster and into the electorate’s backyard ever more appealing. Since Andy Burnham’s ascension to the premiership, devolution has been at the top of the political agenda, but how easy is it to implement, how does it actually work and how will it affect local communities?
Will devolution genuinely transfer power away from Westminster, or simply decentralise responsibility without the resources to do so? As new strategic authorities are created, what should regional and local governance look like by 2029? How politically sustainable is the government’s model, and could it entrench place-based inequalities?
From the opportunities and challenges of moving decision-making beyond Westminster to achieving the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘good growth in every postcode’, the conference will consider the future of regional development in the age of devolution and what it effectively looks like in practice.
Our expert speakers will explore the changing landscape of regional development. These crucial challenges and opportunities in policy and politics will affect communities across the country in all areas including the future of jobs, growth, and social care.
2025 key topics included
➤ Reality cheque: What does the 2025 Autumn budget mean for regional development?
➤ Driving regional innovation: Collaborative pathways for economic growth
➤ How can we transform our skills system to meet the needs of local communities and deliver economic growth?
➤ Fuel of the Future: How can energy innovation and regional development work hand-in-hand?
➤ A devolution revolution: How can devolved powers unlock investment and job creation in our regions?
➤ Permissions, Planning and Pro-growth packages: What’s next for UK housebuilding?
➤ Connecting our communities: How can we develop a transport strategy that delivers for passengers?
Some of our previous speakers
Andy Burnham MP
Prime Minister
Richard Parker
Mayor of the West Midlands
Lisa Nandy MP
Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Steve Rotheram
Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region
Alison McGovern MP
Minister of State for Social Care
Andy Street
Former Mayor of the West Midlands
