Funding local areas: what do the English public think about changes to how funds are allocated to local government? Findings from a citizen engagement workshop

Abstract

In February 2025, 43 members of the public attended a deliberative workshop in Birmingham to discuss how changes to the way that funds are allocated to local governments could reduce inequalities. This report sets out the findings which emerged from the workshop, drawing on voting exercises and worksheets that participants engaged with throughout the day. This report is for the Improving Public Funding Allocations to Reduce Geographical Inequalities project funded by the ESRC. The project brings together a highly experienced interdisciplinary team from the Universities of Birmingham, Bristol, De Montfort, Newcastle, Nottingham, Plymouth and Sheffield, together with the National Centre for Social Research and Metro Dynamics