The Audit Commission recently launched a mine of oppotunities: Local authorities and the regeneration of the English Coalfields, a review of ten-years of physical, social and economic regeneration in the areas afflicted by pit closures.

The report finds that England’s coalfields are a success story of renewal and growth, and that local authorities deserve much of the credit. It suggests the coalfields experience offers lessons to local authorities in other parts of the country as unemployment grows and companies lay off staff.

However, our report says that the job of regenerating former coalfields is not complete, despite all that has been achieved. They remain among the most deprived districts in England. National support for regeneration in the coalfields is still needed, particularly in addressing health, education and skills and other barriers to full participation by local people in the labour market.

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