Central Government policy often prioritises large city areas and their immediate surroundings. Regions on the geographical periphery of the UK have unique challenges and opportunities.
Britain’s Leading Edge is a collaboration and advocacy network. Its members are rural upper tier local authorities without the economic pull of a major city. It works with national and local government, academia and think-tanks. It raises awareness of the unique challenges and opportunities facing peripheral areas. The Government has 12 Levelling Up Missions. Britain's Leading edge wants all the country to level up. Rural areas should perform as well as urban areas for these Missions.
Peripheral regions face challenges such as a shrinking, more elderly population. People in Britain's Leading Edge often have a lower household income than the rest of England. They usually have lower average pay.
Britain’s Leading Edge can offer a lot to the rest of the country. But this depends on receiving the right powers and funding. Britain’s Leading Edge can provide more sustainable energy. It can improve domestic food supply and sequester carbon emissions.
Our collaboration includes:
- Cornwall Council
- Cumbria County Council
- Dorset Council
- Durham County Council
- East Riding of Yorkshire Council
- Herefordshire Council
- Isle of Wight Council
- Council of the Isles of Scilly
- North Yorkshire County Council
- Rutland County Council
- Shropshire Council
We would love to hear from you as we shape our next steps. Please email us:
Read our Britain’s Leading Edge Manifesto 2023.