The map below shows how far behind France and Germany we are in mass transit. In France, every place with over 150,000 people has some form of tram or metro. But if mayoral areas can 'become builders' as @TracyBrabin puts it in the foreword, we can turn this around. 🧵 1/9

Thursday's YORKSHIRE POST: 'Give mayors power over trams' #TomorrowsPapersToday

Strasbourg in France has a comprehensive tram network of 6 lines and 35 miles of track, which serves its population of 500,000. Leeds has a population of 812,000 and it goes without. What's the difference between the two? Mayors that have the power to build 🧵

Many cities in Britain want to build trams, but there's a problem: it takes way too long. Why? Mayors have to get planning approval from the DfT and lack the powers to self-fund via local taxes. Let's devolve the powers so Mayors can get on with it. https://t.co/s2dZRnIr4X

What’s the difference between the Leeds metro and the Marseille metro? The Marseille metro exists. Leeds is the largest city in Europe without a metro. UK towns lag Germany & France, holding back growth. In a new report with @labourtogether, we set out a plan to change this 🧵

Great lineup for the final day of Labour party conference! Featuring @chriswardmp, @peterkyle, @darrenpjones in convo with @BethRigby, @leicesterliz, @SarahEdwardsTam, @jreynoldsMP, and @RachelReevesMP. 📍All events will take place in Arena Room Aire (*except as noted).

First panel of #LPC25 with @LabourTogether on this Govt's focus on growth &living standards alongside @JeevunSandher @ProfJaneGreen @morgan_wild @alfie_stirling

UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer welcomes the attendees of Global Progress Action to London: "You may have noticed that this city isn't the wasteland of anarchy that some would have you believe . But that in a sense captures what we're up against, doesn't it?"

🚨 The Global Progress Action Summit is underway in London. World leaders, progressive thinkers & top strategists from nearly 40 countries are coming together to chart new ground on security, fair growth, migration & solidarity. @LabourTogether | @CAPAction | #GPA2025

Really like this from @LabourTogether. Lots of attention today on the immigration implications. But not enough on the radical potential on social policy - counting unwaged work like care as contribution, proper income protection, long-term care funding. https://t.co/5vfIJCri1S

I think the new paper from @morgan_wild at @LabourTogether on the case for introducing a contributory model is important & significant. Restoring public confidence in the fairness of the state is essential for parties wanting to win back disaffected voters turning to populism.

As the “Devo Bill” makes its way through Parliament, it’s very welcome that @LabourTogether @JP_Spencer_ are calling for it to go further on fiscal devolution, powers over public services & reform to the Lords. https://t.co/XD2eKyuaef

Today @LabourTogether and the @YIMBYAlliance have published a short report on why London needs more devolution. The argument is simple. The fiscal headroom available to the Government means that it cannot finance all the infrastructure the UK needs. https://t.co/4vfOx0rPBA

Our new report with @LabourTogether, London Unchained, sets out how building new homes can fund the infrastructure that Britain needs. Britain needs a lot of public infrastructure investment. But public funds are limited and the way we decide on projects is broken.

🚧 A challenge for this Government, and for Britain: can we build a new runway in under four years? Our answer? YES, but only if ministers use their powers decisively. In a new paper, @LabourTogether & @BritishProgress set out a plan to let Britain fly 🛫 Here's how:

✈️ Britain could MASSIVELY speed up its infrastructure delivery - including Heathrow! Work from @morgan_wild, @pdmsero and @dc_lawrence in the press today! In the times👇

This is a great piece of work from @LabourTogether’s @morgan_wild on how we get building again.