Blog

In this blog, Emma Carruth, working with the PHIRST Elevate research team at the University of Edinburgh, reflects on the success of Horden Together Partnership in light of the new NHS Neighbourhood Health agenda and the recent NIHR PHIRST Evaluation.

In this blog, Emma Carruth, working with the PHIRST Elevate research team at the University of Edinburgh, reflects on the success of Horden Together Partnership in light of the new NHS Neighbourhood Health agenda and the recent NIHR PHIRST Evaluation.

The North East of England has long been recognised for its strong communities and deep-rooted industrial heritage. While these qualities place the region in a strong position to lead the UK’s transition to net zero by 2050, the real opportunity isn’t just in reducing emissions. It’s in reframing climate action as something that delivers wider benefits first, with greenhouse gas reductions emerging as a natural consequence.

The foundational economy refers to the goods, services and infrastructures that underpin everyday life. From care and education to food, housing and transport, it encompasses the sectors in which most people work, where most public money is spent, and upon which we all depend for our daily needs. These are often taken for granted, yet they shape our life chances far more directly than high-tech innovation or global trade.

In 2026 Newcastle City Council will introduce food waste collection in the city. To prepare for this city wide rollout they asked INE to help them evaluate their Food Waste Pilot in the West End of Newcastle that started in September 2024.

Enterprise is often framed as a numbers game: more start-ups, faster growth, higher productivity. But what if this narrow focus is missing much of what enterprise actually does for places like the North East of England?