Kirsty Weakley

On average 62% of people in England are proud to live in their area, which is a slight increase on the previous year, according to figures released on Friday. The government’s annual Community & Engagement Survey 2025-26 asks a number of questions about people’s lives and involvement in their area. Overall the findings are similar to last year with a two percentage point increase in those who were proud of their area.

A Reform-led county is looking at whether it could “release into the market” some of its wholly owned companies rather than let its successor councils have them. Speaking during a closed Reform UK meeting at last month’s Local Government Association conference, Suffolk CC leader Michael Hadwen (Reform) sought advice about the options the county is considering.

‘Really quite something’ Thinktanks and sector bodies largely welcomed today’s announcement. Local Government Information Unity chief executive Jonathan Carr-West said it was a “transformative step in the right direction”. He said: “Crucially, the government has now set dates for its ambitions, rather than leaving them to a future roadmap. Another tick on the scorecard.” Ant Breach, director of policy and research at Centre for Cities, said we are entering a “new era for the British economy”.