Director’s Welcome
As local government prepares for a potentially seismic series of re-organisations and with little prospect of sufficient funding, this edition of the Inlogov Alumni e-Mag provides insights and practical solutions for navigating these complexities. Welcome to our Spring edition.
Can I start with a request: we would love to connect with you on specific topics, and invite you to explore working with us by becoming involved in our research or teaching. If you may be interested in this, please fill in our ‘connection’ survey.
Key themes in this edition include workforce development, politics and inspection. Valuing Apprenticeships explores the role of the Level 7 Senior Leader Degree Apprenticeship. View from the Blog highlights efforts to address the local government recruitment crisis and digital transformation in policing. Political dynamics are examined in How to Challenge the Populist Right, analysing its impact on democracy and decision-making, and how we might respond to this effectively. Meanwhile, Inspecting Local Government offers insights from Graeme Betts CBE on performance management under new regulatory frameworks.
Our Equipping Local Government to Deliver policy paper outlines recommendations for improving funding and governance, and enabling community participation. This term’s research highlights include the new Handbook of Transportation and Public Policy on transport governance and our project It’s a Mindset Revolution! on youth participation in mental health services.
Upcoming events include a legislative theatre session on youth employment and a lecture on liberatory leadership, offering valuable discussions on social justice and inclusive governance.
To support innovation in the public sector, the University is advancing Artificial Intelligence efforts through collaborations, including the new Centre for AI in Government and DPAP’s MSc program on AI and Government.
We hope this edition supports, inspires and informs your work in building stronger local councils – and please do complete the connection survey if you can.
Jason Lowther
Head of Department of Public Administration and Policy
Director, Institute of Local Government Studies (INLOGOV)
Inspecting Local Government
In INLOGOV’s Spring seminar, Graeme Betts CBE analysed the inspection and management of performance in local government, including the new CQC regime. Graeme was Director of Adult Social Services and Acting Chief Executive at Birmingham City Council and is Honorary Professor of Social Care at UoB. He has been instrumental in developing innovative approaches which respond to local needs and national policy requirements to deliver improvements in the quality of life for local people in the city.
Professor Graeme Betts' talk focused on the evolution of inspection regimes in adult social care over the past 25–30 years, highlighting key transitions, challenges, and lessons learned. He provided a historical overview of various inspection bodies, including the Audit Commission, Best Value, the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI), and the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), leading to the formation of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in 2009. Each of these regimes aimed to improve service quality, but some faced resistance from local authorities and had varying levels of impact.
He shared personal experiences with inspections, describing early challenges where interactions were often adversarial, particularly in Coventry and Hillingdon. In some cases, councils underperforming in inspections faced severe consequences, including leadership changes. Over time, there was a shift from punitive measures towards a more supportive approach, recognising that sustainable improvements required collaboration rather than just external scrutiny. This shift led to the development of peer reviews by the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), which provided a different model of self-improvement for local authorities.
With the 2010 halt to formal adult social care inspections, peer reviews became more important, but participation was voluntary, leading to inconsistencies. The introduction of the Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework (ASCOF) in 2011 attempted to provide a national performance benchmark, but there were concerns about data manipulation and a lack of real insight into service users' experiences. A short-lived whole-system review approach in 2017–18 assessed the performance of care and health systems together, highlighting hospital discharge challenges and the need for greater integration between health and social care.
The new CQC inspection framework, launched in 2023, aims to provide a more structured approach. It uses a Single Assessment Framework, focusing on how well local authorities meet their Care Act duties. Inspections involve evidence gathering from multiple sources, including voluntary organisations, service users, and staff. Councils are rated as Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate, with initial findings showing a mix of good performance and areas needing significant improvement. Key areas of focus include integrated working, waiting list management, transition pathways from children to adult services, recruitment challenges, and engagement with seldom-heard voices.
The talk emphasised the importance of local authorities taking ownership of their performance rather than seeing inspections as a short-term intervention. Some councils may attempt to avoid scrutiny, hoping new policies will emerge, but sustained improvement requires a consistent inspection regime and leadership commitment. While peer reviews have value, they vary in quality, and without mandatory participation, their effectiveness is limited. The CQC's approach aims to address this gap, but its success will depend on local government engagement and willingness to act on findings.
Professor Betts concluded that inspection can improve performance, as seen in reduced waiting lists and better co-production efforts. However, without a long-term commitment to learning and system improvement, the benefits may be short-lived. Leadership plays a crucial role in ensuring that findings lead to meaningful change rather than being dismissed or downplayed. Moving forward, the challenge will be to balance accountability with support, ensuring that local authorities are both challenged and assisted in delivering high-quality adult social care.
You can watch the seminar here using your UoB email.
How to Challenge the Populist Right
In recent years, the populist right has gained significant political influence, reshaping governments and challenging democratic institutions across the world. Figures like Donald Trump in the United States, Marine Le Pen in France, Viktor Orbán in Hungary, and Nigel Farage in the UK have risen to prominence by blending nationalism, authoritarianism, and economic populism. Their appeal is rooted in economic frustration, cultural anxieties, and the erosion of trust in traditional political parties. To fully understand the populist right’s impact, it is essential to examine its historical roots, strategies, and implications for democracy.
DPAP’s Dr Jon Bloomfield recently presented an INLOGOV seminar based on his latest book, The Little Black Book of the Populist Right, which is co-authored by David Edgar. You can watch Jon’s presentation here using you UoB email, meanwhile here is a summary of some of Jon’s key themes from the talk.
The Rise of the Populist Right: A Critical Overview
In recent years, the populist right has gained significant political influence, reshaping governments and challenging democratic institutions across the world. Figures like Donald Trump in the United States, Marine Le Pen in France, Viktor Orbán in Hungary, and Nigel Farage in the UK have risen to prominence by blending nationalism, authoritarianism, and economic populism. Their appeal is rooted in economic frustration, cultural anxieties, and the erosion of trust in traditional political parties.
The Political Shift: From Post-War Stability to Populism
After World War II, Western countries established a political and economic system that balanced free markets with social welfare. Governments promoted full employment, strong trade unions, and economic protections that provided stability for decades. However, this system began to unravel in the 1980s with the rise of neoliberalism under leaders like Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. Deregulation, privatisation, and the weakening of unions created growing inequality.
The fall of the Soviet Union in the 1990s further accelerated globalisation, giving capitalism free rein. Many believed this would bring continuous prosperity, but instead, traditional industries collapsed, and well-paying jobs disappeared. Formerly strong left-wing parties, such as the UK Labour Party and the US Democratic Party, shifted towards pro-market policies, alienating many working-class voters. This economic instability created the perfect conditions for the populist right to emerge, offering nationalist and anti-elite rhetoric as a solution.
Cultural and Economic Dislocation
The decline of industrial jobs and the rise of precarious work in the gig economy left millions feeling abandoned. Entire communities once built on manufacturing and mining were destabilised, and people who had long supported left-wing parties felt ignored. Into this void stepped the populist right, offering simple but powerful promises: to bring back jobs, prioritise native citizens, and restore national pride. Their message resonated with those who felt left behind by globalisation.
At the same time, these movements adopted a new approach to identity politics. Rather than using overtly racist language, they framed their arguments around cultural preservation. Instead of saying immigrants were racially inferior, they argued that certain cultures were "too different" to integrate. This allowed them to push exclusionary policies while avoiding direct accusations of racism. In France, the term “national preference” became mainstream, advocating for policies that prioritised native-born citizens over immigrants in jobs and welfare.
Media, Conspiracies, and the Culture Wars
The populist right has also mastered the use of media to shape public opinion. Television networks like GB News in the UK and online platforms have become key tools for spreading their message. By focusing on “culture wars,” they frame issues such as immigration, climate change, and feminism as threats to traditional values. This fuels resentment toward elites, intellectuals, and minority groups.
A common strategy within this movement is the use of conspiracy theories. Claims about a “deep state” controlling the government or secret elite groups manipulating society are widespread. These narratives reinforce distrust in mainstream institutions and allow populist leaders to position themselves as defenders of the “real people” against corrupt elites. Donald Trump, for example, frequently used such rhetoric to rally his base, portraying himself as an outsider fighting against a rigged system.
The Threat to Democracy
Beyond rhetoric, the populist right actively weakens democratic institutions. Leaders like Orbán in Hungary and the Law and Justice Party in Poland have worked to erode judicial independence, restrict press freedom, and limit opposition voices. These tactics consolidate power under populist governments and undermine democratic checks and balances.
The divisive nature of populism also damages social cohesion. By portraying certain groups—immigrants, minorities, LGBTQ+ communities—as threats to national identity, populist leaders encourage hostility and polarisation. This weakens the democratic fabric of societies and fosters an environment where authoritarian policies become more acceptable.
How to Challenge the Populist Right
Countering the populist right requires addressing the economic and social issues that fuel its rise. One key approach is tackling wealth inequality. When working-class and lower-income households see real improvements in their financial security, they are less likely to turn to extremist political solutions. Policies that promote fair wages, affordable housing, and social protections can help rebuild trust in democratic institutions.
Progressive and centrist coalitions also need to find ways to communicate their message effectively. Populist leaders excel at simple, emotionally resonant messaging. To compete, democratic leaders must craft narratives that are clear, compelling, and focused on shared prosperity and unity rather than division.
A broader cultural shift is also necessary. The populist right thrives on exclusionary nationalism, but societies can push back by promoting a vision of national identity based on inclusivity. Countries that celebrate diversity and demonstrate that multiculturalism strengthens rather than weakens them can counteract the divisive rhetoric of populist leaders.
Conclusion
The rise of the populist right is a response to decades of economic uncertainty, cultural anxieties, and political disillusionment. These movements have capitalised on people’s frustrations by offering simple but dangerous solutions, often at the expense of democracy. However, the strength of democratic societies lies in their ability to adapt and respond. By addressing economic inequality, fostering inclusive national identities, and improving political communication, democratic forces can counter the influence of the populist right and build a more stable and united future.
Faculty news
We are delighted to welcome the department’s third Professor, Professor Nicole Curato, who joined DPAP in March from the University of Canberra. Nicole’s work examines how democratic innovations unfold in the aftermath of tragedies, including disasters, armed conflict, and urban crime.
Dr Shunsuke Kimura, Professor and Dean of the Graduate School of Global Governance at Meiji University in Tokyo, is visiting DPAP from February to April. He is researching inter-municipal collaborations and climate change actions by local authorities.
Dr Johan Sandén has joined us as a visiting research fellow. Johan is a postdoctoral researcher from the University of Gothenburg and is joining us from February until the end of May. He has written on mediatisation, reforms, trust-based governance, and administrative overload for university teachers. He is working on street-level professionals in atypical contexts, and on administrative burdens for citizens.
The newly published Handbook of Transportation and Public Policy, co-edited by DPAP’s Dr Louise Reardon and published by Edward Elgar, examines the critical role of politics in shaping transport policy, planning, and delivery. It provides valuable insights into how transport decisions influence and are influenced by political processes, offering both theoretical and practical perspectives on governance. The Handbook explores the strategies needed to enhance transport’s contribution to social and environmental wellbeing, making it a useful resource for local government professionals and academics involved in transport planning and policy development.
It’s a Mindset Revolution! Co-creating inclusive spaces of participation on youth mental health
The Mindset Revolution project aimed to empower young people in Greater Manchester to shape youth mental health policy and practice through participatory democracy and action research. Rather than relying on traditional, adult-led engagement models, the project co-created digital and in-person spaces where young participants could challenge systemic inequalities—such as racism, sexism, and ableism—within mental health services. By integrating creative methods like Legislative Theatre and digital collaboration, young people explored their lived experiences, formulated policy recommendations, and engaged with decision-makers on their own terms. This approach highlighted the importance of relational, context-specific participation that fosters long-term community ownership, rather than short-term, top-down interventions. However, achieving meaningful policy impact required overcoming barriers such as limited resources, rigid funding requirements, and the need for sustained trust-building processes.
For local government practitioners, the project offers key insights into supporting youth participation in policy development. It underscores the importance of moving beyond tokenistic consultation to create genuinely youth-led spaces where young people define the issues and lead the engagement. The Mindset Revolution demonstrated that flexible, intersectional, and community-embedded approaches are crucial in addressing structural inequalities in mental health services. It also revealed the necessity of adapting participatory methods to young people’s diverse circumstances, ensuring a balance between structured support and autonomy. For councils and public sector bodies, embedding youth leadership into policy and service design requires sustained investment, cross-sector collaboration, and an openness to creative, non-traditional forms of democratic participation. Further details are available from Dr Sonia Bussu. Read the full article here.
Equipping Local Government to Deliver
There’s been a great response to our latest policy paper, Equipping Local Government to Deliver, which was launched alongside October’s LGA conference. Thank you to council colleagues who have contacted us, and we have been involved in a useful series of ministerial meetings discussing the implications for the devolution agenda.
The paper explores how local government can better deliver national and local priorities by addressing key issues in funding, performance, and governance. It stresses that local authorities must be supported with stable, multi-year financial frameworks rather than relying on short-term funding allocations. This would provide them with the flexibility to plan and implement long-term projects effectively.
Additionally, the paper argues that the competitive bidding process for public funds should be reduced, as it places unnecessary pressure on local authorities and often leads to inefficiency. By simplifying financial processes, local governments can focus more on delivering outcomes that meet the specific needs of their communities.
A further point raised is the need for improved audit systems that are more aligned with the goals of local authorities and less focused on compliance. This would allow local governments to use resources more effectively and focus on outcomes, rather than spending time meeting rigid criteria. Such reforms would contribute to the rationalisation of bureaucracy and reduce administrative burdens.
Crucially, the paper also highlights the importance of community participation in decision making and delivering services. Local authorities can foster partnerships with various stakeholders, including local businesses, voluntary organisations, and citizens, to co-produce services and ensure that community needs are addressed. Empowering local people and organisations to take an active role can drive better results and strengthen social cohesion.
In conclusion, the paper calls for a comprehensive approach to equipping local governments with the tools and support they need to achieve national goals and address local priorities. This includes rationalising bureaucratic processes, ensuring long-term financial stability, and promoting collaborative partnerships that enhance the delivery of services for communities. You can read the full paper here.
Views from the Blog
Some recent INLOGOV blog posts that you may have missed…
"Reasons to Be Hopeful – How the Gap in Life Expectancy Between English Regions Was Narrowed" – Nicholas Hicks and Jon Bright (February 2025) examine a largely unrecognised public health success from the 2000s. The authors detail how a government strategy effectively reduced regional disparities in life expectancy across England, primarily by addressing coronary heart disease mortality. Their analysis highlights the significant role that coordinated governmental action can play in improving public health outcomes. Read more
"How Digital Policing May Transform Local Relationships with the Public: International Perspectives from the Policing in the Digital Society Network Annual Conference 2025" – Dr. Elke Loeffler (January 2025) discusses insights from the Policing in the Digital Society Network's annual conference. The article examines how digital technologies, including AI, are reshaping policing in the UK, the Netherlands, and Nordic countries. It highlights both the potential distancing effect of data-driven policing and the opportunities for enhanced community engagement through digital platforms. Read more
"Cotswold District Council Elections – More Interesting Than You Imagined?" – Chris Game (January 2025) explores the political dynamics surrounding a local by-election in Cotswold District Council. The piece delves into the implications of potential structural changes in local government, including the possibility of merging district councils into larger unitary authorities, and reflects on past electoral controversies. Read more
"Placemaking: How Do We Design Better Homes and Neighbourhoods?" – Jon Bright and Vincent Goodstadt (January 2025) address the government's ambition to build 1.5 million new homes, focusing on the importance of good design in housing developments. They critique the current state of design quality, citing studies that reveal a prevalence of 'mediocre' or 'poor' designs, and advocate for placing design at the heart of planning and housebuilding to create sustainable and attractive communities. Read more
"Dusting Down the Cautious Welcome: Initial Reflections on the Devolution White Paper" – Phil Swann (December 2024) provides an analysis of the government's devolution white paper. He acknowledges positive aspects, such as the commitment to devolution and additional powers for metro mayors, but also raises concerns about the lack of concurrent local government finance reform, potential structural confusion, and the need for improved relationships between different levels of government. Read more
"How the ‘Make a Difference, Work for Your Local Council’ campaign aims to help councils address the local government recruitment crisis" – Cllr Abi Brown OBE (December 2024) explores the growing recruitment crisis in local government and the nationwide campaign launched in November 2024 to tackle this issue. The initiative seeks to attract fresh talent to local councils by emphasising the benefits of public service, such as community impact and flexible working. Early results indicate an encouraging increase in interest and positive engagement from councils across the country. Read more
New podcasts
Effective leadership in adverse circumstances
In INLOGOV’s latest podcast, DPAP Assistant Professor Dr Timea Nochta talks to alumna Kate Herbert, Principal Adviser for London at the Local Government Association. Kate’s Master’s dissertation highlights seven priorities for effective leadership in adverse circumstances, based on senior leaders’ reflections on their leadership responses. Listen here (31 mins).
Dr Hannah Absalom speaks on “repairing tenant trust”
DPAP Teaching Fellow Dr Hannah Absalom will be featured on the Housing Ombudsman’s upcoming podcast as part of their 'Repairing Trust' report launch. Drawing on her extensive research into tenant experiences and emotions in housing, Hannah will discuss the critical role of trust in landlord-tenant relationships and the systemic barriers that prevent its repair. Her insights, informed by her work on 'Home Encounters,' which explores the hidden emotional effects of landlord interactions and offers recommendations for social landlords to improve tenant experiences, have played a key role in shaping the 'Repairing Trust' report. Read more about 'Home Encounters' here. The episode will be released soon —stay tuned! Listen here.
Leadership Exchanged: Why we need to move away from hierarchies towards collective leadership
In the sixth episode of the Birmingham Leadership Institute’s Leadership Exchanged podcast, DPAP’s Professor Christopher Pietroni is joined by Kirsty McNeill, Executive Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Campaigns at Save the Children and Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Midlothian. A seasoned campaigner and advocate for social and economic justice, Kirsty has held numerous leadership roles, including chairing several organisations and serving as a non-executive director for the Centre for Countering Digital Hate. She discusses her journey from single-issue advocacy to government, sharing insights on democracy, equality, and collective leadership. The episode explores her leadership philosophy and the broader question of whether solving complex global problems requires a new leadership approach. Listen here (39 mins).
Canada falls out of love
Our sister department, POLSIS, has a brilliant series of podcasts called Political Worldview. The latest edition looks at developments in Canada. Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Canadian Prime Minister and his replacement has significant challenges to face. Housing, immigration and a new President having taken office in its most important economic ally, Canada's upcoming elections look set to be some of the most important in the nation's history. Adam Quinn sits down with US and Canadian expert Steve Hewitt to talk Trudeau, Liberals, Conservatives and Trump in this latest edition. Listen here (52 mins).
People, Power, Politics: How to tackle political violence
This Centre for Elections, Democracy, Accountability and Representation (CEDAR) People, Power, Politics podcast explores the rising political violence in the U.S., France, and Germany, featuring a discussion between Nic Cheeseman and Rachel Kleinfeld, a senior fellow at Carnegie’s Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program. Kleinfeld, alongside Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, argues that beyond political polarisation, factors like extreme parties, irresponsible leadership, and democratic disillusionment are eroding political systems. She outlines five strategies to curb political violence and warns that aggressive protests against populist movements may backfire. The episode, based on their Journal of Democracy article, is part of CEDAR’s efforts to analyse and address global democratic challenges. Listen here (32 mins).
PlaceCast
The first episode of PlaceCast, produced by the Local Policy Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Hub at City-REDI, University of Birmingham, explores the critical role of place-based leadership in addressing complex policy challenges. Dr. Nicola Headlam, Professor Rebecca Riley, and Dr. Abigail Taylor discuss the fractured relationship between central and local government in the UK, emphasising the need for better collaboration and understanding across different governance levels. Key themes include the evolving role of universities in civic engagement, the need for flexible policy implementation at different scales, and ongoing research into place leadership. For local government managers, the episode highlights the importance of upskilling, partnership-building, and strategic governance reforms to drive meaningful regional development.
Upcoming events
INSPIRE Legislative Theatre On Youth Employment
On 24th March 4.30pm, Dr Sonia Bussu and colleagues are leading a youth-led participatory theatre event on youth employment in the West Midlands. This is part of the Inspire project. Info and registration is here. Come join us for an engaging and thought-provoking Legislative Theatre Event at the Department of Drama and Theatre Arts, at the University of Birmingham Edgbaston campus. This is a unique opportunity to take part in a youth-led participatory theatre as a 'spectator'. The event will focus on equitable access to work experience, training and employment opportunities for young people in the West Midlands. Be prepared to be inspired and get involved in creating policy recommendations alongside the performers, with policymakers from the West Midlands Combined Authority in the room. For more info on what Legislative theatre is and what it means to be a spectator just check out this short video.
Liberatory Leadership as Building Power Together: Organising for Racial Justice
Racial inequalities are considered a wicked policy problem due to their complexity, persistence, and systemic nature. The COVID-19 pandemic and #BlackLivesMatter protests challenged the assumption that liberal democracies like the UK and US were post-race, highlighting the need to address racialised institutions that perpetuate inequality. In this lecture, Dr Eseonu explores liberatory leadership, a form of public leadership focused on dismantling systems of oppression—such as capitalism, Western imperialism, and white supremacy—to achieve racial justice. Using the GARE framework, liberatory leaders build collective power by fostering shared visions, prioritising racial justice, organising resources, and implementing change. Drawing from community organising, this approach centres the lived experiences of racially minoritised people in policymaking.
Dr Eseonu, a Lecturer at Lancaster University, specialises in race, participatory policymaking, and critical race scholarship, leading initiatives on racial equity and justice in policy and education. On 27th March 12pm, DPAP’s Dr Koen Bartels and Dr Sonia Bussu are hosting a guest lecture from Dr Dayo Eseonu on Liberatory Leadership as Building Power Together: Organising for Racial Justice - info and registration here.
Supporting Government to Turn Digital
There are expanding efforts at the University to deliver on the AI front through collaboration across colleges and disciplines, including through the newly established Center for AI in Government and the Institute for Data and AI.
Our educational portfolio now includes two pioneering MSc programmes – DPAP’s AI and Government, and our sister department IDD’s AI and Sustainable Development - developed through collaboration between the School of Government and School of Computer Science.
Our research priorities include advancing work on digital twins for policy innovation, with particular focus on environmental governance and climate change through our collaborations with the Institute for Data and AI.
As an initiative aimed at supporting local governments, as well as regional and international organisations, in their digital transformation journeys, the School of Government is preparing to launch the UK's first-ever GovTech Hub. This pioneering initiative is designed to propel local governments into the digital age by providing essential capacity-building, strategic advice, and engineering support.
The School is also setting up a new Executive Program on "Technology for Public Affairs," giving civil servants an opportunity to expand their tech skill sets, including AI, and equip them with skills to drive digital transformation efforts. The program will also cover frontier technologies such as quantum computing and virtual reality, preparing public leaders for future advancements.
Colleagues from the Center for AI in Government also wrote an opinion piece on the recent AI Action Plan released by the Government that you might find insightful reading.
If you are interested in these topics and see opportunities for collaboration, please reach out to Dr. Martin Waehlisch, Associate Professor for Transformative Technologies, Innovation, and Global Affairs at m.waehlisch@bham.ac.uk or Professor Slava Jankin, v.jankin@bham.ac.uk. The initiative is actively seeking partners and collaborators from the public sector, private sector, and non-governmental organisations.
Teaching
Valuing Apprenticeships
We were delighted to see the support for the Senior Leader degree apprenticeship from local government and partners in response to the Government’s recent consultation on its future funding arrangements.
A local County Council highlighted the financial pressures facing local authorities, with budgets increasingly focused on maintaining essential services such as social care and transport. As training budgets often had to be reduced, there was a risk of stagnation in transformation and innovation. However, our levy funded Level 7 Senior Leader apprenticeship had been instrumental in equipping senior leaders with the skills to drive change, leading to service improvements, digital transformation, and efficiency savings.
A local Metropolitan Council has actively promoted the Level 7 Senior Leader Degree Apprenticeship since 2017. Testimonials from council employees in areas such as social care highlighted its value in fostering career progression, with learners crediting the programme for enhancing their leadership skills and enabling them to secure senior roles.
A City Council emphasised the apprenticeship's role in strengthening the leadership capabilities of both senior leaders and aspiring managers, supporting succession planning and staff retention. Given the financial constraints within local government, training budgets were already stretched, and without this apprenticeship, alternative leadership development programmes would have been unaffordable. The Council stressed that equipping leaders with the necessary skills was essential to navigating the complex challenges faced by local authorities.
A group of hundreds of employers, including social care and health bodies, expressed concern about the plans to remove levy funding from Level 7 apprenticeships, highlighting their critical role in driving economic growth. They argued that these apprenticeships are essential for meeting the skills needs of high-growth sectors and public services. With an estimated £800 million gap in the apprenticeship levy fund in 2024/25, they called for increased investment in the apprenticeship budget to support these high-skill qualifications. In a letter to the Chancellor in December, the group stressed the importance of upskilling both young people and the existing workforce to ensure long-term productivity and job creation. They also called for greater transparency and a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to policymaking, urging the Department for Education to publish their rationale and allow time for stakeholder input. The group warned that defunding Level 7 apprenticeships could undermine the UK's economic growth goals.
We anticipate the Skills England will produce its proposals on future funding in coming months.
Public Management micro-credentials
Our new accredited short postgraduate courses enable managers to study the latest practices, strategies and global perspectives, to prepare for the changing demands of 21st-century public service.
A range of 12 eight-week programmes is now available to choose from, and completed programmes can be ‘stacked’ to formal postgraduate certificates, diplomas and MSc qualifications.
The next programme, Managing in a Political Environment, starts in May 2025 and helps managers to understand the value of political leadership in public service management, learning how to manage the interface between political and managerial leadership.
Full details of all our micro-credentials are available here.