Jess Craig
@jesscraig.bsky.social
Policy at Power to Change. Talking about communities, social connection, high streets, politics and policy.
Reposted by Jess Craig
Wrote something for @powertochange.org.uk about the fact that government policy must include a new category - digital social policy - to address the social impacts of technologies. Tech policy has to be more than cutting-edge innovation and growth www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...
October 2, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Wrote something for @powertochange.org.uk about the fact that government policy must include a new category - digital social policy - to address the social impacts of technologies. Tech policy has to be more than cutting-edge innovation and growth www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...
Reposted by Jess Craig
💭 We're reflecting on a busy #LabourConference 2025, where the power of community, and the importance of growth that everyone can see and feel, were central themes.
Here are our 5 key highlights: #Lab25
Here are our 5 key highlights: #Lab25
October 3, 2025 at 5:02 PM
💭 We're reflecting on a busy #LabourConference 2025, where the power of community, and the importance of growth that everyone can see and feel, were central themes.
Here are our 5 key highlights: #Lab25
Here are our 5 key highlights: #Lab25
@powertochange.org.uk last event of Labour conference getting underway! Our community business reception is all about how communities create growth you can see, feel and that everyone benefits from.
September 29, 2025 at 4:48 PM
@powertochange.org.uk last event of Labour conference getting underway! Our community business reception is all about how communities create growth you can see, feel and that everyone benefits from.
@nickplumb.bsky.social (in jazzy headphones) kicks off a Reclaiming Our Regional Economies panel on resisting the rise of the far right with a striking stat that £2.9bn of assets sold by councils in last two years, leading to loss of vital shared spaces for connection.
September 29, 2025 at 1:55 PM
@nickplumb.bsky.social (in jazzy headphones) kicks off a Reclaiming Our Regional Economies panel on resisting the rise of the far right with a striking stat that £2.9bn of assets sold by councils in last two years, leading to loss of vital shared spaces for connection.
Nice to hear @georgiagould.bsky.social speaking on the need for culture change at the centre to enable communities to drive change in their local areas. She says govt can decide the outcomes it wants to see but needs to be flexible on the ‘how’ so places can deliver on the way that works for them.
September 28, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Nice to hear @georgiagould.bsky.social speaking on the need for culture change at the centre to enable communities to drive change in their local areas. She says govt can decide the outcomes it wants to see but needs to be flexible on the ‘how’ so places can deliver on the way that works for them.
Reposted by Jess Craig
@kirstymcneill.bsky.social - bangs the drum for Pride in Place announcements, arguing that they are a radical new form of statecraft.
And sets out a really clear view of how difficult working relationally is, but also how rewarding and meaningful it is.
And sets out a really clear view of how difficult working relationally is, but also how rewarding and meaningful it is.
September 28, 2025 at 12:31 PM
@kirstymcneill.bsky.social - bangs the drum for Pride in Place announcements, arguing that they are a radical new form of statecraft.
And sets out a really clear view of how difficult working relationally is, but also how rewarding and meaningful it is.
And sets out a really clear view of how difficult working relationally is, but also how rewarding and meaningful it is.
Reposted by Jess Craig
Packed room for our first conference event with @joshsimonsmp.bsky.social, @kirstymcneill.bsky.social, @morganj0nes.bsky.social, Andy Jackson @right-here.org and Frances Foley @compassoffice.bsky.social - discussing communitarianism (Beyond Blue Labour)
September 28, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Packed room for our first conference event with @joshsimonsmp.bsky.social, @kirstymcneill.bsky.social, @morganj0nes.bsky.social, Andy Jackson @right-here.org and Frances Foley @compassoffice.bsky.social - discussing communitarianism (Beyond Blue Labour)
Felt right to start Labour conference yesterday with an event with Merseyside community leaders, @coopparty.party.coop and Birkenhead MP (and new MHCLG minister) @allymcgovern.bsky.social talking about how community business drives pride in place, connection and an economy that works for all.
September 28, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Felt right to start Labour conference yesterday with an event with Merseyside community leaders, @coopparty.party.coop and Birkenhead MP (and new MHCLG minister) @allymcgovern.bsky.social talking about how community business drives pride in place, connection and an economy that works for all.
I’ve been reading through govt’s new pride in place strategy. I like this sentiment a lot, but making sure the Pride in Place programme delivers outcomes that are genuinely community led will be its real test.
September 26, 2025 at 10:12 AM
I’ve been reading through govt’s new pride in place strategy. I like this sentiment a lot, but making sure the Pride in Place programme delivers outcomes that are genuinely community led will be its real test.
Reposted by Jess Craig
1/4 | Our @powertochange.org.uk response to today's announcement.
Today’s Pride in Place announcement should be applauded. In targeting investment at the hyper-local level, the government has shown that it understands...
Today’s Pride in Place announcement should be applauded. In targeting investment at the hyper-local level, the government has shown that it understands...
Starmer gambles on ‘levelling up’-style initiative to tackle Reform threat
Deprived communities to be given tens of millions to patch up derelict shops, pubs and libraries and ‘restore pride’
www.theguardian.com
September 25, 2025 at 5:02 PM
1/4 | Our @powertochange.org.uk response to today's announcement.
Today’s Pride in Place announcement should be applauded. In targeting investment at the hyper-local level, the government has shown that it understands...
Today’s Pride in Place announcement should be applauded. In targeting investment at the hyper-local level, the government has shown that it understands...
Happy conference season to those who participate. I'm heading to Labour conference this weekend and Conservative conference next weekend - please get in touch if you'd like to get coffee (I'll be needing lots of it)
September 22, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Happy conference season to those who participate. I'm heading to Labour conference this weekend and Conservative conference next weekend - please get in touch if you'd like to get coffee (I'll be needing lots of it)
Reposted by Jess Craig
I'll be at Labour conference in a couple of weeks with @lucysym.bsky.social @jesscraig.bsky.social and Tim.
And we're doing things a bit differently. We have not one, not two, but 7 community business leaders joining us - to help burst the conference bubble.
And we're doing things a bit differently. We have not one, not two, but 7 community business leaders joining us - to help burst the conference bubble.
We’re heading to Labour, Lib Dem & Conservative party conferences this autumn — and we’re bringing community business into the room.
🎤 Want a community business leader to speak at your event? Let us know.
☕ Fancy a coffee with our team? Email @lucysym.bsky.social lucy.symington@powertochange.org.uk
🎤 Want a community business leader to speak at your event? Let us know.
☕ Fancy a coffee with our team? Email @lucysym.bsky.social lucy.symington@powertochange.org.uk
Party conferences 2025: bringing community business into the room - Power to Change
Find out how we’re backing community business at Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Conservative Party conferences in September and October 2025.
buff.ly
September 10, 2025 at 5:34 PM
I'll be at Labour conference in a couple of weeks with @lucysym.bsky.social @jesscraig.bsky.social and Tim.
And we're doing things a bit differently. We have not one, not two, but 7 community business leaders joining us - to help burst the conference bubble.
And we're doing things a bit differently. We have not one, not two, but 7 community business leaders joining us - to help burst the conference bubble.
MPs are back in Westminster today and so are @right-here.org - launching their Museum of Broken Dreams, charting some of the many ambitious community projects that have been stymied by a lack of support, investment, trust that communities can deliver what their places need.
September 1, 2025 at 4:42 PM
MPs are back in Westminster today and so are @right-here.org - launching their Museum of Broken Dreams, charting some of the many ambitious community projects that have been stymied by a lack of support, investment, trust that communities can deliver what their places need.
Reposted by Jess Craig
📝 @jesscraig.bsky.social from @powertochange.org.uk shares how government and combined authorities can unlock inclusive growth by backing the social economy.
A must-read for policy makers and changemakers. 👇
ow.ly/v1bf50WAAtL
A must-read for policy makers and changemakers. 👇
ow.ly/v1bf50WAAtL
August 14, 2025 at 7:39 AM
📝 @jesscraig.bsky.social from @powertochange.org.uk shares how government and combined authorities can unlock inclusive growth by backing the social economy.
A must-read for policy makers and changemakers. 👇
ow.ly/v1bf50WAAtL
A must-read for policy makers and changemakers. 👇
ow.ly/v1bf50WAAtL
"Kindred isn’t radical. It costs far more to exclude people than to include them; far more to drip-feed poverty than to fund potential."
Properly inspiring piece from Erika Rushton of @kindredlcr.bsky.social for @powertochange.org.uk 10 year collection.
www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...
Properly inspiring piece from Erika Rushton of @kindredlcr.bsky.social for @powertochange.org.uk 10 year collection.
www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...
The economy has left the building
What happens when people excluded from the economy are trusted to redesign it? In Liverpool City Region, they built one that works for them. This next essay in our 10-year anniversary campaign explore...
www.powertochange.org.uk
August 12, 2025 at 12:22 PM
"Kindred isn’t radical. It costs far more to exclude people than to include them; far more to drip-feed poverty than to fund potential."
Properly inspiring piece from Erika Rushton of @kindredlcr.bsky.social for @powertochange.org.uk 10 year collection.
www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...
Properly inspiring piece from Erika Rushton of @kindredlcr.bsky.social for @powertochange.org.uk 10 year collection.
www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...
Reposted by Jess Craig
‘“How do we roll that out to every community.”
This is precisely the wrong instinct.
We must shift to a new question: how do we enable each community to lead and deliver the change it needs?’
This is precisely the wrong instinct.
We must shift to a new question: how do we enable each community to lead and deliver the change it needs?’
'Too often, government is looking for one answer to a problem that it can scale; the perfect pilot that can make a difference everywhere. It still sees change as an industrial process.' Electric blog from Vidhya Alakeson, Deputy Chief of Staff to the PM www.powertochange.org.uk/evidence-and...
The leaders who make things happen: lessons in governing from community business - Power to Change
Community businesses drive change where it matters most—locally. From leading Power to Change to advising Number 10, Vidhya Alakeson knows more than most th ...
www.powertochange.org.uk
July 24, 2025 at 7:56 AM
‘“How do we roll that out to every community.”
This is precisely the wrong instinct.
We must shift to a new question: how do we enable each community to lead and deliver the change it needs?’
This is precisely the wrong instinct.
We must shift to a new question: how do we enable each community to lead and deliver the change it needs?’
A fascinating essay from the unique vantage point of Vidhya Alakeson, Deputy Chief of Staff to the PM and former CEO of @powertochange.org.uk for our 10 year anniversary essay collection.
From leading Power to Change to advising Number 10, Vidhya Alakeson knows more than most that it’s time politics caught up—not with programmes, but with people. In our latest essay, Vidhya reflects how we can transform places by backing locally rooted solutions to social change. 👇👇
buff.ly/3v8DVwD
buff.ly/3v8DVwD
July 23, 2025 at 5:40 PM
A fascinating essay from the unique vantage point of Vidhya Alakeson, Deputy Chief of Staff to the PM and former CEO of @powertochange.org.uk for our 10 year anniversary essay collection.
Reposted by Jess Craig
This is great, and digs into all the nuances of the relationship between community space and populism.
Yes, declining social infrastructure is linked to rising support for right-wing populism parties (as @powertochange.org.uk and others have shown).
BUT...
Yes, declining social infrastructure is linked to rising support for right-wing populism parties (as @powertochange.org.uk and others have shown).
BUT...
From pubs to populism: what the decline of community space means for democracy
Rosa Marks explores how rebuilding social & cultural infrastructure can help reverse the UK’s slide into distrust, division & populist politics?
www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/blog/social-...
@britishacademy.bsky.social
Rosa Marks explores how rebuilding social & cultural infrastructure can help reverse the UK’s slide into distrust, division & populist politics?
www.bennettinstitute.cam.ac.uk/blog/social-...
@britishacademy.bsky.social
July 23, 2025 at 2:39 PM
This is great, and digs into all the nuances of the relationship between community space and populism.
Yes, declining social infrastructure is linked to rising support for right-wing populism parties (as @powertochange.org.uk and others have shown).
BUT...
Yes, declining social infrastructure is linked to rising support for right-wing populism parties (as @powertochange.org.uk and others have shown).
BUT...
Reposted by Jess Craig
Agree, the diagnosis is broadly right.
The trick is how to achieve a combination of (a) quick material improvements (e.g. to the public realm) that people notice and associate with politics listening and making a difference. But at the same time…. 1/n
The trick is how to achieve a combination of (a) quick material improvements (e.g. to the public realm) that people notice and associate with politics listening and making a difference. But at the same time…. 1/n
Starmer and Rayner have sounded the alarm over a social fabric that is 'fraying at the edges' and concern this translates into disorder. Rayner's analysis and prescription isn't new but is, for the most part, right. The briefing is putting a lot in faith in the Plan for Neighbourhoods as a response.
July 23, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Agree, the diagnosis is broadly right.
The trick is how to achieve a combination of (a) quick material improvements (e.g. to the public realm) that people notice and associate with politics listening and making a difference. But at the same time…. 1/n
The trick is how to achieve a combination of (a) quick material improvements (e.g. to the public realm) that people notice and associate with politics listening and making a difference. But at the same time…. 1/n
Seven years ago the community in Chelmsley Wood said if someone's going to make money in our neighbourhood running a chippy, why not us? Great to join @richardparkerwm.bsky.social and the Co-op Party for a community-powered chippy at the lovely Three Trees Community Centre in sunny Solihull.
Today we visited the UK’s only community-owned fish and chips with Co-operative Mayor Richard Parker.
This business proves community ownership isn’t just for cafes or retailers - it can power any business on the high street. 🐟
July 4, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Seven years ago the community in Chelmsley Wood said if someone's going to make money in our neighbourhood running a chippy, why not us? Great to join @richardparkerwm.bsky.social and the Co-op Party for a community-powered chippy at the lovely Three Trees Community Centre in sunny Solihull.
Reposted by Jess Craig
💬 Today, the Chancellor unveiled her highly anticipated spending review. While we welcome the investment in local growth and regeneration through the expansion of the Plan for Neighbourhoods, there is a missed opportunity to transform our high streets and bring empty community spaces to life again.
June 11, 2025 at 1:57 PM
💬 Today, the Chancellor unveiled her highly anticipated spending review. While we welcome the investment in local growth and regeneration through the expansion of the Plan for Neighbourhoods, there is a missed opportunity to transform our high streets and bring empty community spaces to life again.
New funding for up to 350 communities (for cohesion, regeneration and public realm improvements) and Growth Mission Funding sound promising in enabling communities to drive local economic and social renewal but...
June 11, 2025 at 2:00 PM
New funding for up to 350 communities (for cohesion, regeneration and public realm improvements) and Growth Mission Funding sound promising in enabling communities to drive local economic and social renewal but...
Reposted by Jess Craig
The Chancellor's rhetoric on pride in place, community assets and high streets was correct - these things are important, particularly at the moment when face to face is more important than ever so we can see ourselves in one another. There are announcements in that vein, but little detail so far...
June 11, 2025 at 12:53 PM
The Chancellor's rhetoric on pride in place, community assets and high streets was correct - these things are important, particularly at the moment when face to face is more important than ever so we can see ourselves in one another. There are announcements in that vein, but little detail so far...
Until I'm unbanned (low iron not misbehaviour) I'm on the blood donation bench, but really encourage others to donate! You get biscuits and social clout - what's not to like? Lots of appts in London going - take on the fun/nightmare of navigating your way out of westfield in a post-donation haze!!
Sometimes life feels futile, like nothing you can do will ever make a difference. But...
The UK has a blood shortage right now. If you're eligible to donate, you could literally save someone's life in less than an hour.
www.blood.co.uk/news-and-cam...
The UK has a blood shortage right now. If you're eligible to donate, you could literally save someone's life in less than an hour.
www.blood.co.uk/news-and-cam...
Blood donor appeal
There are spaces to donate blood at some of our city centre venues.
www.blood.co.uk
June 10, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Until I'm unbanned (low iron not misbehaviour) I'm on the blood donation bench, but really encourage others to donate! You get biscuits and social clout - what's not to like? Lots of appts in London going - take on the fun/nightmare of navigating your way out of westfield in a post-donation haze!!
I've been thinking about bottom-up growth and the need for economic strategy to produce visible, tangible change that people can see and feel in their lives, in the context of the coming industrial strategy
BLOG 💭 | The government’s industrial strategy sets out a bold vision for growth, but the real measure of success will be whether people feel the benefits in their daily lives. How can we make sure growth is felt across every region and every household? ✍️ @jesscraig.bsky.social
‘Growing across’ – why inclusive growth must be part of the industrial strategy - Power to Change
The government’s ambitious industrial strategy sets out a bold vision for growth, but the real measure of success will be whether people feel the benefits i ...
buff.ly
June 10, 2025 at 10:18 AM
I've been thinking about bottom-up growth and the need for economic strategy to produce visible, tangible change that people can see and feel in their lives, in the context of the coming industrial strategy