LED Confidential

What's blocking regional rebalancing and regeneration in England, and could new institutions tackle the north-south divide? In this episode, David and Mike are joined by Peter Hetherington – one of the UK’s most respected commentators on regional affairs, land use and the north south divide. Peter argues that a step‑by‑step dismantling of regional policy has left England without a national regeneration agency, spatial strategy or coherent institutional framework – and he tells LEDC what it would take to rebuild one. From the tensions between Whitehall control and genuine local autonomy, to the crisis in local government finance and the case for taking social care out of council budgets, they explore what “radical but realistic” reform might look like in practice.

Six years after the pandemic declaration, the Hallett COVID‑19 Inquiry is uncovering lessons with major implications for local economic development. David and Mike discuss enduring economic scarring, deepened health inequalities, the overlooked importance of social infrastructure, and why future LED strategies must embrace resilience, slack and the agency of hyper‑local communities. A sharp 10‑minute dive into what the Inquiry means for placemaking in 2026.

What should England’s new Visitor Levy really be used for — growing the visitor economy, boosting wellbeing, or redistributing tourism across Combined Authority areas? David and Mike unpack the Government’s 72‑page consultation, explore why England’s opt‑in model is unusual when compared to those operating in elsewhere in Europe, and discuss how varying charge levels, lobbying pressures and sub‑regional governance could shape local economic development.

As US–Europe tensions over Greenland flare and then cool (for now), David and Mike ask what this kind of geopolitical dispute really means for local economic development. They unpack how tariff threats, critical minerals, energy security and defence policy filter down into business confidence, inward investment, and local growth plans – and why LED professionals need to move from static strategies to live scenario planning that reflects an increasingly uncertain trading environment.

What does it take to turn a 50km stretch of Scotland’s Firth of Forth into a hub for sustainable growth? CEO Sarah Murray gives LEDC the inside track on the Forth Green Freeport. From unlocking £8 billion in investment and creating 34,000 jobs to embedding fair work and Net Zero principles, the Scottish Green Freeport model promises economic, social, and environmental transformation on a grand scale. But how do you balance global capital with local benefit? How do you curate investment, manage complex partnerships, and ensure communities are at the heart of change? Join LEDC as David, Mike, and Sarah unpack the lessons for economic developers everywhere.