The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
@clesthinkdo.bsky.social
CLES is the national organisation for local economies. We're working towards a future where local economies benefit people, place and the planet.
🔗 cles.org.uk
🔗 cles.org.uk
Pinned
Private care providers in three English regions make £250m in three years
More than third of profits analysed went to firms owned by private equity or based in tax havens, research finds
www.theguardian.com
🚨 Public money is being siphoned out the care system in profits, with millions going to private equity and tax haven firms
@theguardian.com's @journo-jess.bsky.social has the story of our investigation into extraction from our care system ⤵️
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
@theguardian.com's @journo-jess.bsky.social has the story of our investigation into extraction from our care system ⤵️
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
📣 Last chance to apply 📣
Looking for an exciting new role in think tank communications? You have until Monday to apply to become our new Communications Officer! ⏲️
Looking for an exciting new role in think tank communications? You have until Monday to apply to become our new Communications Officer! ⏲️
🚨 We are recruiting a Communications Officer 🚨
If you are a skilled communications professional who cares about building better local economies, find out more and apply here ⤵️
cles.org.uk/jobs/were-re...
If you are a skilled communications professional who cares about building better local economies, find out more and apply here ⤵️
cles.org.uk/jobs/were-re...
February 12, 2026 at 2:44 PM
📣 Last chance to apply 📣
Looking for an exciting new role in think tank communications? You have until Monday to apply to become our new Communications Officer! ⏲️
Looking for an exciting new role in think tank communications? You have until Monday to apply to become our new Communications Officer! ⏲️
Reposted by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
Yesterday was a huge day in the world of community wealth building.
Scotland became the first country to legislate for it, at a national level.
This means that the committment to tackle wealth inequality is baked into how we deliver economic development, and how we operate as a country.
Scotland became the first country to legislate for it, at a national level.
This means that the committment to tackle wealth inequality is baked into how we deliver economic development, and how we operate as a country.
Members of the Scottish Parliament have just voted to pass the world’s first piece of legislation on Community Wealth Building
This is a huge opportunity to ensure that when Scotland has economic growth, we use it to reduce wealth inequality and support communities to thrive
This is a huge opportunity to ensure that when Scotland has economic growth, we use it to reduce wealth inequality and support communities to thrive
February 11, 2026 at 7:14 AM
Yesterday was a huge day in the world of community wealth building.
Scotland became the first country to legislate for it, at a national level.
This means that the committment to tackle wealth inequality is baked into how we deliver economic development, and how we operate as a country.
Scotland became the first country to legislate for it, at a national level.
This means that the committment to tackle wealth inequality is baked into how we deliver economic development, and how we operate as a country.
Reposted by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
At 10:00 @clesthinkdo.bsky.social will be leading an exciting session on how Community Wealth Building can be integrated into both strategic thinking and day-to-day operational decisions across local authorities, partner organisations and the communities they serve.
February 12, 2026 at 7:19 AM
At 10:00 @clesthinkdo.bsky.social will be leading an exciting session on how Community Wealth Building can be integrated into both strategic thinking and day-to-day operational decisions across local authorities, partner organisations and the communities they serve.
Members of the Scottish Parliament have just voted to pass the world’s first piece of legislation on Community Wealth Building
This is a huge opportunity to ensure that when Scotland has economic growth, we use it to reduce wealth inequality and support communities to thrive
This is a huge opportunity to ensure that when Scotland has economic growth, we use it to reduce wealth inequality and support communities to thrive
February 10, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Members of the Scottish Parliament have just voted to pass the world’s first piece of legislation on Community Wealth Building
This is a huge opportunity to ensure that when Scotland has economic growth, we use it to reduce wealth inequality and support communities to thrive
This is a huge opportunity to ensure that when Scotland has economic growth, we use it to reduce wealth inequality and support communities to thrive
Reposted by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
Join Sarah Longlands (Chief Executive, CLES) and Simon Grove‑White (Senior Researcher, CLES & Co‑Author of the CCIN Social Value Toolkit) as they unpack how CWB principles shape everyday decisions on procurement, employment, land and assets.
@clesthinkdo.bsky.social
@clesthinkdo.bsky.social
February 5, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Join Sarah Longlands (Chief Executive, CLES) and Simon Grove‑White (Senior Researcher, CLES & Co‑Author of the CCIN Social Value Toolkit) as they unpack how CWB principles shape everyday decisions on procurement, employment, land and assets.
@clesthinkdo.bsky.social
@clesthinkdo.bsky.social
"We shouldn’t simply accept that poverty, inequality and environmental degradation are worth the price of a growing economy"
@naomimason.bsky.social for @holyroodmag.bsky.social's The Huddle on the future of Scotland's economy 🖊️👇
www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
@naomimason.bsky.social for @holyroodmag.bsky.social's The Huddle on the future of Scotland's economy 🖊️👇
www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
How do you expect the Scottish economy to change over the next five years and what can the government do to help?
As we chew over the details of the Scottish budget, Holyrood consults our panel of experts
www.holyrood.com
February 5, 2026 at 11:10 AM
"We shouldn’t simply accept that poverty, inequality and environmental degradation are worth the price of a growing economy"
@naomimason.bsky.social for @holyroodmag.bsky.social's The Huddle on the future of Scotland's economy 🖊️👇
www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
@naomimason.bsky.social for @holyroodmag.bsky.social's The Huddle on the future of Scotland's economy 🖊️👇
www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reposted by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
A crackdown on profiteering in the care sector is much needed. Recent RORE research found that in just three English regions private companies took more than £250m in profit over three years from the care sector. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Ministers to crackdown on profiteering in care sector and make renewed fostering push
Josh MacAlister issues warning as government launches £88m ‘call to arms’ to find homes for 10,000 foster children
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:41 AM
A crackdown on profiteering in the care sector is much needed. Recent RORE research found that in just three English regions private companies took more than £250m in profit over three years from the care sector. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
As a society, we all play a role in collective caregiving. Every child deserves the best start in life, which is why we must reject caring for the most vulnerable children from being a cash cow for profiteering 👛
We are pleased that government plan to act ⤵️
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
We are pleased that government plan to act ⤵️
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Ministers to crackdown on profiteering in care sector and make renewed fostering push
Josh MacAlister issues warning as government launches £88m ‘call to arms’ to recruit 10,000 new foster carers
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:06 AM
As a society, we all play a role in collective caregiving. Every child deserves the best start in life, which is why we must reject caring for the most vulnerable children from being a cash cow for profiteering 👛
We are pleased that government plan to act ⤵️
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
We are pleased that government plan to act ⤵️
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Reposted by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
England's children's care market is broken. Foster carers down 10%, costs spiralling, kids placed hundreds of miles from home. Can Greater Manchester's reforms fix a system in crisis?
Read my piece below for @newstatesman1913.bsky.social: www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/20...
Read my piece below for @newstatesman1913.bsky.social: www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/20...
A testing ground for children's care reform
More children are in care in the north west than anywhere else in England. A number of pilot schemes now underway could provide solutions for fixing a broken system nationwide.
www.newstatesman.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:08 PM
England's children's care market is broken. Foster carers down 10%, costs spiralling, kids placed hundreds of miles from home. Can Greater Manchester's reforms fix a system in crisis?
Read my piece below for @newstatesman1913.bsky.social: www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/20...
Read my piece below for @newstatesman1913.bsky.social: www.newstatesman.com/spotlight/20...
"What is being taken out is not just money. It is capacity. It is dignity."
Check out this blog from Truth about Local Government about our latest 'Reclaiming Our Regional Economies' research ⤵️
www.truthaboutlocalgovernment.com/post/care-as...
Check out this blog from Truth about Local Government about our latest 'Reclaiming Our Regional Economies' research ⤵️
www.truthaboutlocalgovernment.com/post/care-as...
Care as a Public Good: Why Britain Must Stop the Drain on Local Communities
An exploration of how rising care costs in the UK are driven by privatisation, complex financial structures, and large‑scale profit extraction, and how these pressures affect frontline care workers an...
www.truthaboutlocalgovernment.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:29 PM
"What is being taken out is not just money. It is capacity. It is dignity."
Check out this blog from Truth about Local Government about our latest 'Reclaiming Our Regional Economies' research ⤵️
www.truthaboutlocalgovernment.com/post/care-as...
Check out this blog from Truth about Local Government about our latest 'Reclaiming Our Regional Economies' research ⤵️
www.truthaboutlocalgovernment.com/post/care-as...
Reposted by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
I’m really excited to be recruiting a Comms Officer to work closely with me on CLES’s communications 💫
2026 is going to be a fab year to join us. We’ll celebrate our 40th birthday, launch our new-look brand and website, and we’ve big ambitions to step up our news and advocacy profile 💪🏻
See here 👇🏻
2026 is going to be a fab year to join us. We’ll celebrate our 40th birthday, launch our new-look brand and website, and we’ve big ambitions to step up our news and advocacy profile 💪🏻
See here 👇🏻
🚨 We are recruiting a Communications Officer 🚨
If you are a skilled communications professional who cares about building better local economies, find out more and apply here ⤵️
cles.org.uk/jobs/were-re...
If you are a skilled communications professional who cares about building better local economies, find out more and apply here ⤵️
cles.org.uk/jobs/were-re...
January 23, 2026 at 8:18 PM
I’m really excited to be recruiting a Comms Officer to work closely with me on CLES’s communications 💫
2026 is going to be a fab year to join us. We’ll celebrate our 40th birthday, launch our new-look brand and website, and we’ve big ambitions to step up our news and advocacy profile 💪🏻
See here 👇🏻
2026 is going to be a fab year to join us. We’ll celebrate our 40th birthday, launch our new-look brand and website, and we’ve big ambitions to step up our news and advocacy profile 💪🏻
See here 👇🏻
🚨 We are recruiting a Communications Officer 🚨
If you are a skilled communications professional who cares about building better local economies, find out more and apply here ⤵️
cles.org.uk/jobs/were-re...
If you are a skilled communications professional who cares about building better local economies, find out more and apply here ⤵️
cles.org.uk/jobs/were-re...
January 23, 2026 at 8:09 PM
🚨 We are recruiting a Communications Officer 🚨
If you are a skilled communications professional who cares about building better local economies, find out more and apply here ⤵️
cles.org.uk/jobs/were-re...
If you are a skilled communications professional who cares about building better local economies, find out more and apply here ⤵️
cles.org.uk/jobs/were-re...
Our partners at Cast from Clay are looking for a Communications Consultant. If you’re a comms professional interested in making change happen and are ready for a new challenge, this one’s worth a look ⤵️
castfromclay.co.uk/career/consu...
castfromclay.co.uk/career/consu...
Consultant
We’re a team of strategists who shape and disrupt policy narratives. Cast from Clay is a communications consultancy for those who work on policy change. Most good ideas in the world of policy never ma...
castfromclay.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Our partners at Cast from Clay are looking for a Communications Consultant. If you’re a comms professional interested in making change happen and are ready for a new challenge, this one’s worth a look ⤵️
castfromclay.co.uk/career/consu...
castfromclay.co.uk/career/consu...
2026 is special to CLES, because it's the year in which we turn 40! 🥳
@sarahlonglands.bsky.social outlines what else we can expect in local economic policy this year, for the MJ ✒️
www.themj.co.uk/powering-loc...
@sarahlonglands.bsky.social outlines what else we can expect in local economic policy this year, for the MJ ✒️
www.themj.co.uk/powering-loc...
Powering up our local economies
I am particularly excited about starting 2026, because at the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES), we will be celebrating our 40th birthday.
This milestone...
www.themj.co.uk
January 15, 2026 at 3:19 PM
2026 is special to CLES, because it's the year in which we turn 40! 🥳
@sarahlonglands.bsky.social outlines what else we can expect in local economic policy this year, for the MJ ✒️
www.themj.co.uk/powering-loc...
@sarahlonglands.bsky.social outlines what else we can expect in local economic policy this year, for the MJ ✒️
www.themj.co.uk/powering-loc...
Reposted by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
Five Lessons About Anchor Networks
In this blog, originally posted on the The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) website, a Delivery Partner of the LPIP Hub, Conrad Parke discusses lessons learnt at a recent London Anchor Institution Network event.
https://ow.ly/zxmS50XW7qU
In this blog, originally posted on the The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) website, a Delivery Partner of the LPIP Hub, Conrad Parke discusses lessons learnt at a recent London Anchor Institution Network event.
https://ow.ly/zxmS50XW7qU
January 14, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Five Lessons About Anchor Networks
In this blog, originally posted on the The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) website, a Delivery Partner of the LPIP Hub, Conrad Parke discusses lessons learnt at a recent London Anchor Institution Network event.
https://ow.ly/zxmS50XW7qU
In this blog, originally posted on the The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) website, a Delivery Partner of the LPIP Hub, Conrad Parke discusses lessons learnt at a recent London Anchor Institution Network event.
https://ow.ly/zxmS50XW7qU
Reposted by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
A budget with a lot of positive actions, but there are a few cautionary notes as well.
If Scotland is a nation of "innovators and wealth creators" lets make sure that wealth stays here and builds for our places and communities.
If Scotland is a nation of "innovators and wealth creators" lets make sure that wealth stays here and builds for our places and communities.
Asking those with the broadest shoulders to back our shared priorities was the right call to make in today's Budget. But its delivery must shift real power and ownership to Scotland's communities 💪
@naomimason.bsky.social reacts to today's Scottish Budget from @shonarobison.bsky.social ⤵️
@naomimason.bsky.social reacts to today's Scottish Budget from @shonarobison.bsky.social ⤵️
January 13, 2026 at 4:10 PM
A budget with a lot of positive actions, but there are a few cautionary notes as well.
If Scotland is a nation of "innovators and wealth creators" lets make sure that wealth stays here and builds for our places and communities.
If Scotland is a nation of "innovators and wealth creators" lets make sure that wealth stays here and builds for our places and communities.
Asking those with the broadest shoulders to back our shared priorities was the right call to make in today's Budget. But its delivery must shift real power and ownership to Scotland's communities 💪
@naomimason.bsky.social reacts to today's Scottish Budget from @shonarobison.bsky.social ⤵️
@naomimason.bsky.social reacts to today's Scottish Budget from @shonarobison.bsky.social ⤵️
January 13, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Asking those with the broadest shoulders to back our shared priorities was the right call to make in today's Budget. But its delivery must shift real power and ownership to Scotland's communities 💪
@naomimason.bsky.social reacts to today's Scottish Budget from @shonarobison.bsky.social ⤵️
@naomimason.bsky.social reacts to today's Scottish Budget from @shonarobison.bsky.social ⤵️
Want to learn the fundamentals of how local economies can be reshaped to work for people, places & our planet? 💡
Join us for our upcoming 'An Introduction to Community Wealth Building' workshop! 👷♀️
🔗 Register here: cles.org.uk/events/an-in...
📅 When: Thursday 5th March
💻 Where: Online
Join us for our upcoming 'An Introduction to Community Wealth Building' workshop! 👷♀️
🔗 Register here: cles.org.uk/events/an-in...
📅 When: Thursday 5th March
💻 Where: Online
January 13, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Want to learn the fundamentals of how local economies can be reshaped to work for people, places & our planet? 💡
Join us for our upcoming 'An Introduction to Community Wealth Building' workshop! 👷♀️
🔗 Register here: cles.org.uk/events/an-in...
📅 When: Thursday 5th March
💻 Where: Online
Join us for our upcoming 'An Introduction to Community Wealth Building' workshop! 👷♀️
🔗 Register here: cles.org.uk/events/an-in...
📅 When: Thursday 5th March
💻 Where: Online
2026 is here and it's set to be a big year for local economies in Scotland!
@naomimason.bsky.social breaks down what's ahead for her latest policy & practice update:
🗳️ Elections
📜 Community Wealth Building legislation
🥳 CLES turns 40
🔗 cles.org.uk/blog/scottis...
@naomimason.bsky.social breaks down what's ahead for her latest policy & practice update:
🗳️ Elections
📜 Community Wealth Building legislation
🥳 CLES turns 40
🔗 cles.org.uk/blog/scottis...
a fireworks display with a black background and a few white lines
ALT: a fireworks display with a black background and a few white lines
media.tenor.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:32 PM
2026 is here and it's set to be a big year for local economies in Scotland!
@naomimason.bsky.social breaks down what's ahead for her latest policy & practice update:
🗳️ Elections
📜 Community Wealth Building legislation
🥳 CLES turns 40
🔗 cles.org.uk/blog/scottis...
@naomimason.bsky.social breaks down what's ahead for her latest policy & practice update:
🗳️ Elections
📜 Community Wealth Building legislation
🥳 CLES turns 40
🔗 cles.org.uk/blog/scottis...
Together with @thekingsfund.bsky.social, we've how English devolution can fulfil its potential to reduce health inequalities
@davidjbuck.bsky.social explains in this HSJ article, drawing on our recent essay with David, Tom Lloyd Goodwin & @lucatiratelli.bsky.social ⤵️
www.hsj.co.uk/policy-and-r...
@davidjbuck.bsky.social explains in this HSJ article, drawing on our recent essay with David, Tom Lloyd Goodwin & @lucatiratelli.bsky.social ⤵️
www.hsj.co.uk/policy-and-r...
The growing influence of mayors could help fight health inequalities
The King's Fund and the Centre for Local Economic Strategies have been looking at how to ensure that English devolution fulfils its potential for reducing health inequalities. There are three key areas that need to be addressed if the emerging relationship between ICSs, ICBs and strategic authorities is to help ...
www.hsj.co.uk
December 30, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Together with @thekingsfund.bsky.social, we've how English devolution can fulfil its potential to reduce health inequalities
@davidjbuck.bsky.social explains in this HSJ article, drawing on our recent essay with David, Tom Lloyd Goodwin & @lucatiratelli.bsky.social ⤵️
www.hsj.co.uk/policy-and-r...
@davidjbuck.bsky.social explains in this HSJ article, drawing on our recent essay with David, Tom Lloyd Goodwin & @lucatiratelli.bsky.social ⤵️
www.hsj.co.uk/policy-and-r...
Reposted by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
Just in time for the Xmas stocking! Hope you have a good one. Our in depth @thekingsfund.bsky.social @clesthinkdo.bsky.social piece this is based on is on CLES website linked in the HSJ article www.hsj.co.uk/policy-and-r...
The growing influence of mayors could help fight health inequalities
The King's Fund and the Centre for Local Economic Strategies have been looking at how to ensure that English devolution fulfils its potential for reducing health inequalities. There are three key areas that need to be addressed if the emerging relationship between ICSs, ICBs and strategic authorities is to help ...
www.hsj.co.uk
December 24, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Just in time for the Xmas stocking! Hope you have a good one. Our in depth @thekingsfund.bsky.social @clesthinkdo.bsky.social piece this is based on is on CLES website linked in the HSJ article www.hsj.co.uk/policy-and-r...
All we want for Christmas is local economies that work for everyone 📜
So here's to building them in 2026! 👷♀️
Wishing you the happiest of holidays, from all at CLES 🎅
So here's to building them in 2026! 👷♀️
Wishing you the happiest of holidays, from all at CLES 🎅
December 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM
All we want for Christmas is local economies that work for everyone 📜
So here's to building them in 2026! 👷♀️
Wishing you the happiest of holidays, from all at CLES 🎅
So here's to building them in 2026! 👷♀️
Wishing you the happiest of holidays, from all at CLES 🎅
This afternoon, Minister @allymcgovern.bsky.social gave a statement to parliament on the provisional local government finance settlement 🗣️
We welcome the restoration of the link between council funding and deprivation 👏
Our response ⤵️
We welcome the restoration of the link between council funding and deprivation 👏
Our response ⤵️
December 17, 2025 at 4:23 PM
This afternoon, Minister @allymcgovern.bsky.social gave a statement to parliament on the provisional local government finance settlement 🗣️
We welcome the restoration of the link between council funding and deprivation 👏
Our response ⤵️
We welcome the restoration of the link between council funding and deprivation 👏
Our response ⤵️
Reposted by The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES)
Have just had an article published with @publicsectorfocus.bsky.social for @clesthinkdo.bsky.social about how profit is being extracted from locally commissioned care services and how to build a better care system
flickread.com/edition/html...
flickread.com/edition/html...
Read the digital edition of today!
flickread.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Have just had an article published with @publicsectorfocus.bsky.social for @clesthinkdo.bsky.social about how profit is being extracted from locally commissioned care services and how to build a better care system
flickread.com/edition/html...
flickread.com/edition/html...