Centre for Cities

Cities Outlook 2015

The Centre for Cities team sit down to discuss the findings from Cities Outlook 2015, which focused on the impact of policy on UK city performance over the last 10 years. Issues discussed include why 2014 saw such interest in cities, the precedent set by the Greater Manchester devolution deal, and what cities can expect in the run-up to and aftermath of the General Election in May.

How to encourage innovation in city economies?

Alexandra Jones, Chief Executive of Centre for Cities, talks to Bruce Katz, author of The Metropolitan Revolution, and Geoff Mulgan, Chief Executive of Nesta, about innovation in the economy. Both the UK and the United States are seen to be less innovative than emerging economies in the East, but they have many valuable assets in their universities and cities which need to be unlocked, and local leadership is crucial to doing so.

Small Business Outlook 2014

Small businesses are vital to the UK economy but their performance varies across UK Cities.

Andrew Carter, Deputy Chief Executive of Centre for Cities is joined by Jonathan Portes, Director of NIESR and Ann Limb, Chair of the South East Midlands LEP to discuss how small businesses can be supported across cities to grow.

Having access to a skilled workforce, as well as ensuring businesses are adequately supported locally, are some of the ways cities can support their small businesses, which is one of the ways to a thriving economy.

How can transport policy be improved at a city level?

Andrew Carter, Deputy Chief Executive of Centre for Cities, speaks to David McNeill from Transport for London, Stephen Joseph from the Campaign for Better Transport, and Jason Millett, Chief Operating Officer at Mace about our latest report on improving transport at a city level, supported by Mace.

The conversation was recorded shortly after our launch event on 1 May 2014, and brings together the speakers to give their perspectives on the best ways to improve city-wide transport in UK cities, including the need to link up different transport systems as well as the benefits of integrating transport with wider planning and economic growth strategies.

Supporting links between cities, universities and high-growth firms

Our Chief Executive Alexandra Jones sits down with Cllr Jason Kitcat, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, Andrew Lewis, Director of Policy at Newcastle City Council, and Dr Neil Bradshaw from the University of Bristol to discuss our latest report on supporting links between universities and high-growth firms. 

Sir Merrick Cockell on 'Breaking boundaries'

Alexandra Jones, Chief Executive of Centre for Cities, discusses new report 'Breaking boundaries' with Sir Merrick Cockell, Chair of the Local Government Association.

The report argues that in order to improve public services, support economic and save money, the government should incentivise local authorities to formally work together by devolving more powers to the local level.

For video highlights of this interview go to: http://youtu.be/-QcEHlKRnFw 

For more information and to download the report, go to http://www.centreforcities.org/breakingboundaries 

Looking ahead to 2014

The Centre for Cities team discuss what UK cities can expect in the new year, touching on the forcasts for economic growth (and how reliable they may be...), the issues that will play out in the local and European elections in May, and how the Scottish referendum can provide an opportunity to rethink devolution elsewhere. We also touch on plans for our Think Cities campaign, as well as the research we'll be working on in the months ahead.

Bruce Katz - The Metropolitan Revolution

Centre for Cities Chief Executive Alexandra Jones welcomes Bruce Katz, Director of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Programme, to present his new book The Metropolitan Revolution in our roundtable event in Whitehall on Monday 28th October.

Bruce talks about the way cities are becoming increasingly prominent players in generating new ideas and driving growth. In her introduction, Alex talks about some of the implications this structural shift might have in the UK.

More information on the project, videos and an iPad app are available on the Metropolitan Revolution website. 

Small Business Outlook 2013

Lord Young of Graffham, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Enterprise, Mike Kapur, Chairman of the CBI Small Business Forum, and Richard Coleman, Director, SMEs at Zurich Insurance plc, join Andrew Carter, Deputy Chief Executive at Centre for Cities to discuss the recent Centre for Cities report Small Business Outlook and consider how small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) can be supported in their cities. Why should SME policy be at the heart of the economic growth agenda? How can local government do more to support SMEs, and do they have the power to do this? What is the role of local business groups and LEPs in supporting SME growth? Small Business Outlook 2013 was supported by Zurich Insurance plc.

Spending Review 2013: One week on

Alexandra Jones, Ben Harrison and Andrew Carter reflect on what last week's Spending Review means for cities. The local authority cuts, the infrastructure statement from Danny Alexander and announcements surrounding the Heseltine Single Local Growth Fund are all likely to have significant implications on places across the country. But how will cities cope with cuts, without local government reform? How far can infrastructure investment help cities in the short term to 2016,  as well as in the long-term? Has there been enough practical discussion around how exactly the announcements will be delivered? Is £2 billion enough for the Single Local Growth Fund? Is the Fund flexible enough?