How local councils can use community wealth building to protect high street jobs

I’ve been following the Crossrail/Elizabeth line saga closely because, like many of you, I rely on reliable journeys to get around London and the regions it connects. When sections of the Elizabeth line face delays or reduced service, the ripple effects are immediate: packed platforms, longer commutes and a lot of questions about what to do next. Below I’ve gathered practical, up‑to‑date advice on what commuters need to know, which...

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I’m writing because the intersect between pension policy and the housing market has felt increasingly personal to the readers and sources I speak with at Alltime News. As a millennial saver thinking about your first home, you might assume pensions are only about retirement. But recent and proposed pension reforms change that calculus — for better or worse — and they can have a real impact on whether you get on the property ladder, how much...

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I watched the announcement roll across my feed and felt that familiar, sinking mix of anger and resignation. A major factory in Scotland — one that employed thousands directly and supported supply chains across the UK — is closing. The immediate human cost is obvious: lost wages, disrupted families, and communities facing a future they didn't choose. But the wider consequences, the ones that should make policymakers sit up and pay attention...

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Why I started asking questions about edtech and privacyI remember the first time my child's school announced a new online learning platform. The teachers were enthusiastic — more interactivity, easier homework submission, a single login for all subjects. As a journalist who watches how tech and policy intersect, my excitement was tempered by a simple question: what happens to my child's data?Edtech can be brilliant when it's used thoughtfully....

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I’ve spent years watching local and specialist publishers try — and sometimes fail — to turn a loyal newsletter audience into reliable revenue. The good news? Monetising newsletters in the UK no longer means choosing between annoying readers with interruptive ads or hiding behind a hard paywall that stunts growth. The trick is to build trust, match format to value, and layer income streams so one drop in performance doesn’t sink the...

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I spend a lot of time talking to artists, community leaders and small organisations trying to navigate the patchwork of cultural funding in the UK. One question comes up again and again: how are culture grants actually distributed across regions, and what can grassroots groups do to win funding? I’ll walk you through what I’ve learned — the realities behind headline figures, the typical decision processes, and practical steps you can take...

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When I push my trolley through the weekly shop, the rows of yellow sale stickers and "3 for 2" offers create the impression that groceries are more affordable than the headlines suggest. Yet at home, when I check receipts and watch the household budget, something doesn't add up for many families: those shiny promotions can hide a harsher reality for low-income households.Promotions look like bargains — but often aren'tI've seen shoppers flock...

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I’m asked all the time which “green” home improvements will actually cut energy bills this winter. As someone who writes about policy, tech and household economics, I’ve spent months pulling together data, talking to installers and testing a few measures at home. The short answer is: some upgrades are clear winners for cost savings, others make sense mainly for comfort, carbon or long-term value. Here’s a practical, no‑nonsense guide...

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I keep reading the headlines that celebrate a supposed silver bullet: convert underused office blocks into homes and London’s housing crisis will be solved. I wish it were that simple. As someone who watches the intersection of policy, markets and everyday life, I can see why conversions are attractive — they use existing land, they’re quicker than greenfield builds and they appeal to politicians who want visible action. But the reality on...

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I still remember sitting in a meeting room two years ago listening to a founder paint a picture of “inevitable market share” and “category-defining technology.” The slide deck looked immaculate: hockey-stick growth, soaring gross margins, and a valuation that made bankers’ eyes light up. Investors in the room nodded, and cheques were written. Later, as I dug into the numbers, some of those assumptions began to unravel. That experience...

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