Locked out: missed opportunities for social housing in Northern Ireland – and lessons for UK housing policy
This blog draws on findings from two case study sites in Belfast to highlight the obstacles to providing social housing in Northern Ireland and the implications for community planning and engagement in housing policy in the UK.
Posted on: 23 February 2026
Northern Powerhouse Rail is back – but this is no way to plan transport infrastructure
Heseltine Institute Research Associate, Dr Tom Arnold explores the latest announcement from central government regarding rail transport links in the region.
Posted on: 16 January 2026
Ordinary people, extraordinary power – Liverpool Citizens Accountability Assembly
Heseltine Institute Research Associate, Belinda Tyrrell reflects on the recent Liverpool Citizens Accountability Assembly and the power of ordinary people's stories and actions to create change.
Posted on: 8 January 2026
Mapping livelihood insecurity in Liverpool City Region
Roger Baxter, Heseltine Institute Policy Analyst, proposes a livelihood insecurity framework for identifying areas of intervention.
Posted on: 19 December 2025
What would Howard do (about the North West's proposed new towns)?
Ian Wray reflects on how the late Sir Howard Bernstein might have responded to the two new towns proposed for the North West by the government’s New Town Task Force.
Posted on: 9 December 2025
Community organising - building skills for collaboration
In this latest blog on community organising, Heseltine Institute Research Associate Belinda Tyrrell shares her experience of training with Citizens UK, and reflects on how community organising can help build useful skills to support collaboration, particularly with local communities.
Posted on: 7 October 2025
Should Liverpool and Manchester bid for the 2040 Olympics?
Journalist and broadcaster Liam Fogarty argues that the two cities should give serious thought to making a joint bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2040.
Posted on: 29 September 2025
Could regional institutions deliver growth for Labour?
Ian Wray and Jim Steer discuss whether John Prescott's approach should be revisited.
Posted on: 11 September 2025
Unlocking social imagination: from vision to action
In this three-part series, I’ve argued that our public systems need more than better strategies - they need more imagination.
Posted on: 23 July 2025