This report looks at ten years of regeneration of England's former coalfields. We find they are a story of renewal and growth with local authorities and their partners deserving much of the credit.
Regeneration actions have made significant progress on greening mineworkings, building new homes, roads and commercial sites, and creating jobs, but some people have been left behind.
National and European funding has supported this transformation and continued national funding is important. The remaining problems in the coalfields of bad health, poor school results, poor motivation and low skills - that create barriers to employment - will require innovative actions by councils and their partners.