Communities across the country are repurposing empty department stores to create vibrant high street spaces. Join us 11 December as we launch our latest report 'Department stories'. 🗣️ @jesscraig07 🗣️ @soult 🗣️ Kathryn Chiswell Jones @Sparks_bristol 👉 https://t.co/fNQAOxIncr

Analysis of its content aside, seeing the Budget presented by a woman for the very first time does feel like an important landmark in a Parliament that is - albeit slowly - edging towards gender parity. Big up all the wonky women

Final thoughts: great to see govt fire the starting gun on business rates reform and introducing a better, fairer system of local growth funding. Lots of opportunities in the pipeline for govt to back community business, but clarity on COF needed soon! @powertochange_

Looking ahead, the 'Small Business Strategy Command Paper' (great name) will be another opportunity for government to set out how it will back community business, including supporting their contributions to high street vitality and on access to finance.

Community businesses will be looking closely at plans to increase employer NI contributions. Many are proud to pay the RLW, but acknowledge that salaries are a significant cost pressure. However, increasing the employment allowance will shield many (median = 5 FTE employees).

Alongside plans to permanently reduce rates for retail, leisure and hospitality from 2026-27, govt should recognise the role of diverse community businesses in revitalising their high streets . And - since many can't wait another year for reform - include them in temp reliefs.

It's good to see govt outlining first steps on business rates reform, with a focus on reviving high streets and recognising their role as 'hubs of economic activity' that 'provide a meeting place for local communities' - to which community businesses are a major contributor.

What does #AutumnBudget mean for communities? The CX has effectively ended levelling up limbo, with continuation of UKSPF, reformed Long-Term Plan for Towns and £1bn to 'revitalise high streets, town centres and communities'. But not yet clear if this includes COF Round 4 though.

🔎Our pre-budget analysis. 💷£2.5bn of levelling up funds stuck in limbo. 📜 Budget is the key moment for decision on this. 🆕Public wants a new approach to regeneration (local need not competitive funding pots), and communities playing a greater role in decisions. 🧵 👇👇

🚨New opportunity to join the Policy and Insight team @powertochange_ 🚨 The External Affairs Officer will help us build relationships and coalitions, engage with legislation, and deliver policy/politically-relevant events. Get in touch with @j_westerling with any questions!

📜 Read my @powertochange_ reflections on Lab conference. 🗣️These words from Democracy and Local Growth Minister @AlexJJNorris staying with me: 🤝“Now is a community power, a community ownership, moment. I’m looking forward to working with all of you to make the most of it.”

It was a pleasure to introduce @gareththomasMP to local community businesses and @powertochange_ look forward to working with him and Dept of Business and Trade to back community business.

@mhclg Great to also hear from @kindred_lcr @makeCIC and @HomebakedBakery on community business in Liverpool. They asked for government’s support to take ownership of the assets that matter to their communities and partnership in transforming their neighbourhoods.

Really positive to hear from Alex on how the government plans to shift power and resources from the centre to communities, with colleagues in @mhclg and across government, including through a Community Right to Buy and support for community ownership.

‘Real meaningful shifts of power are at the heart of our agenda’ - great to have @AlexJJNorris with us, meeting community businesses and those who back them at @balticcreative

@powertochange_ @FutureGovForum @LBFEW @TowersAlex @bt_uk @Amy_Leversidge @BALPApilots @WoodleyKarin @CamHouse1889 @NicholasPlumb @CatherineFookes @CatherineFookes says now is the time to firm up and flesh out what the missions mean. And government can’t do this alone - they need to take people on this journey with them.

@powertochange_ @FutureGovForum @LBFEW @TowersAlex @bt_uk @Amy_Leversidge @BALPApilots @WoodleyKarin @CamHouse1889 @NicholasPlumb @CatherineFookes What’s one thing government should do to deliver in partnership? @NicholasPlumb - build on the devo agenda to bring powers to communities. @WoodleyKarin - listen and partner with those beyond the usual suspects. @Amy_Leversidge - get on with delivering missions to rebuild trust.

@powertochange_ @FutureGovForum @LBFEW @TowersAlex @bt_uk @Amy_Leversidge @BALPApilots @WoodleyKarin @CamHouse1889 @NicholasPlumb @CatherineFookes Asked how communities can restore the high street, Nick says @powertochange_ sees real opportunity for community-led renewal when the right powers, finance and a role in high street governance are available to communities. Govt should address these needs together.

@powertochange_ @FutureGovForum @LBFEW @TowersAlex @bt_uk @Amy_Leversidge @BALPApilots @WoodleyKarin @CamHouse1889 @NicholasPlumb @CatherineFookes The panelists are asked about the political risk government undertakes by engaging with smaller community and civil society organisations. @NicholasPlumb says to restore trust in politics, it will be vital for government to put power back in community hands

@powertochange_ @FutureGovForum @LBFEW @TowersAlex @bt_uk @Amy_Leversidge @BALPApilots @WoodleyKarin @CamHouse1889 @NicholasPlumb New MP @CatherineFookes draws on her experience working in partnership with government from the third sector. She explains that her role as a ‘Mission Champion’ is to ensure coordination across the missions and across government to ensure success.