Inclusive Economies

Building local economies for all

The government has a mandate for growth. Can an inclusive approach deliver this desired growth while supporting opportunities for all? Our events series asked how placemakers can respond.

London is the UK’s richest city, and its most unequal city. As local authorities move away from austerity, any economic change must also reduce poverty and improve well-being for every Londoner.

Inclusive economies offer a path forward. They create “broad-based opportunities that have benefits for all” and are distinct from economies “where growth is accompanied by rising inequality and poverty,” according to the Local Government Association.

Download the final report
Inclusion-first Growth: Why London's economic plan must work for everyone 
Read the news story with video interviews

By prioritising shared ownership of local assets and social goals, inclusive economies raise the baseline quality of life for all. Opportunities such as education, skills, high-value employment and social connections become widely accessible.

Our events built on the People, Place and Community programme and asks what steps local governments and their partners can take to build inclusive economies.

We explored how place-makers can ensure inward investment brings everyone with it, and what levers of change are available to boost local communities. The final report, Inclusive-first Growth, spotlights practical initiatives, through a field-trip, roundtable and webinar.

The event series ran from January to March 2025. 

The Inclusive Economies programme was supported by Countryside Partnerships and Montagu Evans