England

Councils, local organisations and groups in England can now apply for Heritage Action Zone status in make areas more attractive to residents, businesses, tourists and investors.

Oxford’s productivity and economy is being constrained by housing that is unaffordable and a lack of office space, with a venture capital investment ‘essential’ to attracting people to the area, says a new report.

In England, the number of residential planning approvals increased by 9 per cent during the first quarter of 2017 compared to 2016, to 12,300, according to latest government statistics.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has designated £21 million for a European Regional Development fund as part of his plans to make it a world-leading green city-region.