Where does Andy Burnham’s drive to decentralise government and devolve more power to the regions leave the City of London? Can policymakers truly spread growth to every postcode without killing the golden goose of London’s global financial status?
While London and the southeast remain the nation's sole net tax contributors, the push toward regional rebalancing forces a critical reflection: should empowering the regions be seen as a threat to the capital, or as the essential key to long-term national resilience?
In this fourth episode of A City That Works - the brand-new podcast from The Finsbury Institute at City St George's, University of London - host Diana Beech is joined by Professor Charles Lees (Executive Dean and Professor of Policy and Global Affairs at City St George's) and Dr Nick Bowes (Partner and Managing Director of Insight and Public Affairs at LCA). Aiming to bring research, policy, and practice together to ensure the City continues to thrive amid political reshuffling, shifting economic priorities, and new industrial strategies, they unpack the dynamic tension between national decentralisation and capital prosperity. Reminding us that the City doesn't survive for a millennium without constantly adapting, they examine everything from high-value manufacturing and green energy to multi-tier European governance models, challenging us to rethink how power, capital, and public sentiment interact across the UK.
Moving beyond political rhetoric, this episode explores the vital, often overlooked dynamics of regional economic growth, the housing and rent burdens facing younger voters, and the urgent need to rebuild trust in the higher education sector. By examining the political landmines of student debt and charting a pragmatic roadmap toward a balanced, collaborative economy, this discussion provides a rigorous, cross-sector perspective on ensuring the City of London remains competitive, safe, fair, and vibrant for all those who live, work, invest, and trade in it.
Join the Conversation: If you have a comment on any of the themes discussed, we would love to hear from you. Follow The Finsbury Institute on LinkedIn to share your thoughts or visit us on The Finsbury Institute website.
This series is proudly funded by the School of Policy and Global Affairs at City St George’s.
You can access a transcript of this conversation here.
This is a Research Podcasts production.
Episode Credits
Presenter: Diana Beech, Director of The Finsbury Institute at City St George's
Guests: Charles Lees and Nick Bowes
Producer: Catherine McDonald, Research Podcasts
Editor: Alex Canner, Research Podcasts
Music: Indie House - Modern City, Sonican from Pixabay
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