Blog

The governance of England is at a pivotal moment as the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill makes its way through the UK parliament. This moment represents another shift in the long-running historical pendulum swing between regional, local and now sub-regional scale institutional arrangements.

The Environmental Act 2021 is driving a major shift in how households across England handle their food waste, requiring all local authorities to introduce dedicated collection services by 31 March 2026. To get ready for this change, Newcastle City Council launched a pilot scheme in the city’s West End in September 2024. Insights North East, together with researchers from Northumbria and Newcastle Universities, are partnering with the council to support the pilot’s implementation and evaluation.

Access to NHS dental care is shrinking and, worryingly, the dental health of 5-year-olds in England hasn’t improved since 2017. Despite local efforts and a strong desire for change, children in the North East still face the highest rates of tooth extractions due to decay. So, what can be done to change this?

From declining trust in institutions to widening inequality, from public health to economic growth—these challenges can't be solved by top-down policy alone. They require strong communities, robust social infrastructure, and the kind of local networks that bind us together. That's why we're excited to bring community leaders, policymakers, and practitioners together for this vital conversation.

How can policymakers improve participation in food waste collection schemes? What is the profile of residents who would participate and not participate in the food waste scheme?

On 23rd October, academic experts, policymakers, and practitioners came together in a panel event to tackle a pressing question: How can we transition to a sustainable North East?