London
London scores significantly above average for new business, income and skills.
Measuring what matters when it comes to growth
#GoodGrowth
Good Growth for Cities measures the performance of the UK’s largest cities against 10 indicators that the public think are most important when it comes to economic wellbeing. The Index was developed by PwC and the think tank Demos in the aftermath of the financial crisis in response to the sense that we need to look beyond GDP headlines to measure economic success.
We found that factors like jobs, income, skills and health are the most important factors in the eyes of the public, alongside housing, transport, income distribution, work-life balance, business start-ups and the environment.
Good Growth for Cities 2019 shows continued broad improvements across cities in the UK, driven in particular by falling unemployment rates and increases in new businesses.
However, there are also signs that progress has plateaued, particularly among top performing cities in the index.
Overall, the ‘price of success’ is becoming more pronounced, and declining scores in owner occupation, transport and housing affordability highlight some of the ongoing challenges faced by UK cities.
The long term view shows that good growth improvements have been largely driven by skills and new businesses. As the economy and world of work transforms, ensuring people are equipped with the digital and other skills they need for future jobs and that they have opportunities to improve their living standards will be key to ensuring that individuals and places achieve their full potential.
Highest ranking cities |
Top 10 improvers |
---|---|
Oxford |
Bradford |
Reading |
Liverpool |
Southampton |
Norwich |
Bristol |
Newcastle |
Milton Keynes |
Cardiff |
Aberdeen |
Swansea |
Edinburgh |
Wolverhampton & Walsall |
Swindon |
Brighton |
Cambridge |
Hull |
Leicester |
Manchester |
The changing good growth performance of many places over the long term shows that success is not determined by where a city is currently positioned on the index.
So, how can local leaders design and implement strategies and interventions that deliver good growth outcomes for their places and people?
Economic, political and technological disruption mean that new strategies will be needed to achieve good growth in future.
Find out more about each region by opening its card
London scores significantly above average for new business, income and skills.
New businesses and jobs are driving good growth across the midlands.
Jobs and skills are behind good growth improvements in Belfast and Derry.
Liverpool leaps ahead, and is among this year’s top improvers.
Income, jobs and skills are driving good growth in Scottish cities, with Aberdeen taking over Edinburgh.
South East leads the way, with most cities scoring well for income, health and environment.
Bristol flies high, moving one place up the Good Growth for Cities Index.
A good year for Welsh cities, with Cardiff the fifth and Swansea the sixth most improved .
Yorkshire is home to this year’s most improved city - Bradford.
Health Industries and Devolved and Local Government Advisory Leader, PwC United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)7791 114593
Risk Assurance Partner and Regional Lead for Government, PwC United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)7881 805552