Centre for Cities

🚀Cities Outlook 2026 is out now! 🏙️ Our annual report looks at how the UK’s cities are performing — and what that means for economic growth and living standards. buff.ly/w5hQiNS 🧵👇

The Chancellor is right to link growth to an active and strategic state. The new towns consultation suggests a bigger programme than first expected, with seven sites set for significant backing 👇 buff.ly/o1l5P9Y

“Dense, interconnected city regions” are central to economic success. The Chancellor’s Mais Lecture reflects growing recognition that city performance will shape UK growth 👇 buff.ly/oZiFNs5

Replacing Supplementary Planning Documents with Supplementary Plans could strengthen planning tools. But requiring examination and added uncertainty risks reducing their use. Government must ensure they remain practical for authorities👇 buff.ly/QrVOYTi

Greater Manchester saw 11% bus growth, compared with 1% nationally. As more areas gain franchising and funding flexibility, more city regions could follow. Read more👇 buff.ly/WKqlvVS

Cities are central to modern economic growth. The Chancellor’s focus on unlocking regional potential is welcome. But underperformance in big cities remains a major constraint on UK productivity. Read our reflections🔍👇 buff.ly/oZiFNs5

Less national redistribution will require more local redistribution. That only works if authorities include both affluent and poorer areas. Geography is central to fiscal devolution👇 buff.ly/RsCWd7p

England’s city regions are leading public transport growth, according to @UTG_UK. But the bigger message is what this says about urban economies and the role of mayors. Read more👇 buff.ly/WKqlvVS

The Chancellor’s fiscal devolution roadmap is a major shift. But without the right local boundaries, it risks creating uneven tax bases and service gaps. Local government reform must match economic reality👇 buff.ly/fqXZERH

Debates about “London bias” often focus on investor behaviour. But new analysis suggests geography of equity investment largely reflects where investable firms are located. Cities with more investable SMEs attract more deals👇 buff.ly/7Pj8Sys

@Catapult_UK @CPCatapult @transportgovuk @olivercoppard @SouthYorksMCA The Mayor’s speech moves on to a panel, Chaired by @CentreforCities @AndrewCities, Mayor @olivercoppard & @aCapitalRegion’s Kellie Berne & @rokhsanafiaz on investment & growth in city regions

The Chancellor’s Mais Lecture highlights a growing consensus: UK growth depends on cities. But major cities outside London still underperform. Closing that gap could add £40bn to the economy. Read our reflections🔍👇 buff.ly/4dCEVEy

City centres are critical to national productivity. By investing in city centres offices, workspace and incubators they become more attractive places for growth-focused businesses to locate👇 buff.ly/rD2iEim

Britain's housing crisis and the economic growth of its major cities hinge on embracing higher urban density. This involves constructing more mid-rise residences in city centers, including London, backed by bold planning reforms and proactive public leadership👇 buff.ly/R3r2za7

Centre for Cities research found that 57% of the UK's productivity lag compared to leading G7 countries is due to the underperformance of its big cities. Today, the Chancellor highlighted the importance of closing this gap in order to boost national growth 👇

London accounts for 51% of SME equity deals and 62% of deal value. Large cities outside London generate many deals. But the biggest investments still cluster in London. New analysis explains why ⬇️ buff.ly/49YrOXx

🧡Moves like this reflect growing recognition that city transport works best when it operates as one network. Integrating buses, trams and other modes can make journeys simpler and more reliable. We explored the economic case in our recent report👇 centreforcities.org/publication/in…

Evidence suggests policies guiding development beyond allocated sites can significantly increase housebuilding in cities. Thig blog argues the NPPF should require authorities to assess capacity outside allocated sites, not just rely on past windfall trends👇 buff.ly/RVAecW1

Where next for devolution? At a Centre for Cities event, @AndyBurnhamGM suggested the debate is shifting toward fiscal autonomy, including options such as land value capture, retained business rates and a visitor levy. Read more👇 buff.ly/hOCKIbq