Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 8h"The idea there's some magic wand where you're going to recreate the days of the cotton mills in these small towns is just cloud cuckoo land" ~ Lord Jim O'Neill 000
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 10hBritain is *bad* at getting people into city centres. 🔗 buff.ly/QxcAsZo 033
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Continuing our line up of mayors at #LabourPartyConference is @tracybrabinmayorwy.bsky.social @mayorofwy.bsky.social @westyorkshireca.bsky.social 👇 020
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Whitehall doesn't always know best says Mike Emmerich, former Chief Executive of New Economy Manchester🎙️👇 buff.ly/HzRsDmX 000
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Next up on our #LabourPartyConference agenda is an 'In Conversation with Mayor Kim McGuinness' 👇 010
Reposted by Centre for CitiesMaurice Lange @mauricelange.bsky.social · 29/09/2026We've updated our density data tool, which now compares British cities with their French and Japanese peers based on proximity to rail stations and distance from city centre. Link to explainer blog and the tool in comment below 👇 133
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 29/09/2026We're back for another packed day of events at #LabourPartyConference, starting with an In Conversation with Mayor Richard Parker 👇 @richardparkerwm.bsky.social @mayorwestmids.bsky.social See what's on for the rest of the day: buff.ly/XSNyDRx 020
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Our #LabourPartyConference agenda continues this afternoon with a session in conversation with @dantomlinson.bsky.social 👇 021
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 28/09/2026A great panel for our 'Transport connectivity in Northern cities' event at #LabourPartyConference 👇 010
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Next up on our #LabourPartyConference agenda is an 'In Conversation with Mayor Helen Godwin' @mayorhelengodwin.bsky.social 👇 Check out the rest of our sessions today and tomorrow here: buff.ly/nNErF9F 021
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 28/09/2026It’s a packed room for the first session of our #LabourPartyConference agenda ‘In Conversation with Mayor Steve Rotherham’ @metromayorsteve.bsky.social @lcrmayor.bsky.social👇 021
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Only places with the appropriate capability should have powers devolved to them says Lord Jim O'Neill 💬👇 111
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 24/09/2026NEW REPORT | The Government wants the biggest council housebuilding programme since the post-war period. Our new briefing sets out what it will take to make that ambition deliver in cities. 🔗https://buff.ly/FwsVDQJ 188
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 23/09/2026The truth about a regional approach to growth according to Lord Jim O'Neill 💬 Watch the full discussion 👇 buff.ly/hcaEA5z 000
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 23/09/2026We're only a few days away from Labour Party Conference and we have a packed schedule of panel and 'In conversation' events with politicians, industry experts and academics 👇 Take a look 👀 010
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 23/09/2026The importance of multi-year funding from Mike Emmerich, former Chief Executive of New Economy Manchester🎙️👇 buff.ly/HzRsDmX 000
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Lots of fiscal devolution is on its way for 2028 but the first step to fiscal devolution is arriving almost a year before... @antbreach.bsky.social on why business rates devolution is underrated👇 buff.ly/ZCmMLWnbuff.lyBusiness rates devolution is underrated - Centre for CitiesEnhanced business rates retention is key to fiscal devolution – but there is still more to come. 132
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Mike Emmerich, former Chief Executive of New Economy Manchester, on what this current devolution process can and should offer🎙️👇 buff.ly/HzRsDmX 020
Reposted by Centre for CitiesMark Byrne @markobroin.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Look how pretty our new @centreforcities.bsky.social Substack is 😍 One chart about cities and urban economics, every Tues. Sign up here: centreforcities.substack.com 052
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Britain needs stronger cities and better access to their jobs. Growth does not need to happen in every place for its benefits to reach everywhere. Our latest Substack is out now👇 buff.ly/UYqj0r5 000
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 22/09/2026We're only a few days away from Labour Party Conference and we're so excited to have all the mayors on board for 'In conversation' sessions 💬 Who will you be coming to see? Check out the full agenda 👇 buff.ly/nNErF9F 000
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Mike Emmerich, former Chief Executive of New Economy Manchester, sat down with @andrewcities.bsky.social to look back at the founding ideas of Manchesterism and look ahead to what it can still teach us about future devolution🎙️👇 buff.ly/HzRsDmX 052
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 21/09/2026With the Government preparing to publish its white paper on devolution, what should the next phase of devolution look like – and can transferring greater power to cities and regions help tackle the UK’s longstanding economic growth challenge?👇 buff.ly/EvBzB3w 000
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 21/09/2026🟡We are at Liberal Democrat Party Conference today and excited to host our Building Better Places event this afternoon alongside our expert panel 👀 @timleunig.bsky.social @bhamcitycouncil.bsky.social @steve-pitt.bsky.social @macegroup.bsky.social 021
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 17/09/2026We are #hiring a new Policy Lead! Can you identify emerging urban policy issues and opportunities? Develop clear and credible policy positions? Join the Centre for Cities team👇 buff.ly/4pa6nXZ 001
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 16/09/2026How to deliver fiscal devolution in six charts 📊👇 buff.ly/fTUkPT3centreforcities.orgHow to deliver fiscal devolution in six charts - Centre for CitiesEverything you need to know about delivering fiscal devolution in England 010
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 16/09/2026NEW | Fiscal devolution can give mayors stronger incentives to grow their economies without leaving places with smaller tax bases behind. Our new briefing sets out a revenue-neutral route to deliver £21.5bn of devolved taxes between now and 2030 👇 buff.ly/m6Ddr8S 123
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 14/09/2026France and Italy once had centrally determined regional minimum wages. Both systems were eventually abandoned. Their experience offers an important lesson for the UK: regional variation works better when wage-setting powers are devolved👇 buff.ly/6wvIGYXcentreforcities.orgWhitehall shouldn't vary the minimum wage between cities - Centre for CitiesWhen productivity differs significantly within a country, the optimal minimum wage may vary from place to place. 021
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Join Lord Jim O’Neill, economist, former Treasury Minister and former Chair of the Cities Growth Commission, in conversation with @andrewcities.bsky.social, for a discussion on the Government’s emerging devolution agenda and what it could mean for economic growth across the country👇 buff.ly/3VcVKNA 121
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 10/09/2026The Chancellor’s £150m fund for northern scale-ups addresses a clear weakness: firms in large northern cities attract smaller later-stage equity deals than those in London, Oxford and Cambridge. Our latest blog explains why👇 buff.ly/zEU4Acxcentreforcities.orgThe Chancellor’s growth speech focuses on the UK’s business scaling challenges - Centre for CitiesThe Chancellor delivered his “Growth Speech” on Monday, announcing several policies to support innovative businesses. 010
Reposted by Centre for CitiesAndrew Carter @andrewcities.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Mayors to be given the power to introduce an Overnight Levy (aka tourist tax) www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...bbc.co.ukTourist tax plans for England set to be outlinedThe government is expected to outline how local leaders will be able to impose levies on overnight stays. 2116
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 09/09/2026How much could corporation tax sharing raise for mayors? With a hypothetical 5% share, estimated receipts range from £48 per resident in Tees Valley to £112 in London, with several mayoral areas clustered around £50-£60 👇 000
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Did you know Centre for Cities has a Substack? 📊 One chart. 5️⃣ Five takeaways. 📅 Every Tuesday. Here's the latest👇 buff.ly/owqTSu9 010
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Income tax should be the workhorse of fiscal devolution. Corporation tax should be the carrot. Giving mayors a share of local corporation tax receipts would reward them for supporting businesses to create jobs, invest and grow👇 buff.ly/fCvaphkcentreforcities.orgFiscal devolution: The case for corporation tax - Centre for CitiesCorporation tax can and should be part of the Government’s fiscal devolution agenda. 112
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 09/09/2026Local control of buses is devolution in action 🚌 Big cities will be able to integrate all their public transport networks - meaning simpler fares, easier journeys and better connections to major city centres for over a million people. Read more👇 www.centreforcities.org/publication/...centreforcities.orgIntegrated transport: The size of the prize for mayors - Centre for CitiesThis report sets out the connectivity and economic impacts for city regions integrating their public transport networks. 031
Reposted by Centre for CitiesResolution Foundation @resolutionfoundation.org · 08/09/2026Speaking at our event Andrew Carter @centreforcities.bsky.social says that greater devolution is long talked about rather than delivered but he’s optimistic this time meaningful change will happen. But it’s not risk free - requires political willpower in Westminster & local capacity for starters. 133
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 07/09/2026The Chancellor said today that fiscal devolution would be a “permanent transfer of power and resources”. Read Centre for Cities’ briefing on how this can fulfil the ambition of higher growth across the country 👇 www.centreforcities.org/publication/...centreforcities.orgFiscal devolution for England - Centre for CitiesThis briefing provides evidence to support the Government’s decision to advance fiscal devolution and explains how it can use these reforms to achieve both higher growth and greater fairness across th... 051
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 07/09/2026This morning, the Chancellor described "growth in every postcode" as "not just a slogan, but a test that we have set ourselves". But taken literally, growth in every postcode is the wrong test. 242
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 07/09/2026Tomorrow: What role can metro mayors play in reducing youth economic inactivity? Join Oliver Coppard and our expert panel to discuss how local leaders can strengthen labour markets and improve opportunities for young people. Register here: buff.ly/gUCwu2y 001
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Can further devolution help unlock stronger economic growth? 📢 We’ve just announced a new event with Lord Jim O’Neill, who will join Centre for Cities Chief Executive Andrew Carter to discuss the Government’s forthcoming Devolution and Growth White Paper. Register here: buff.ly/1eox2z4 000
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 03/09/2026In partnership with @bettertransport.bsky.social and @utg-uk.bsky.social, we are hosting a fringe event at the Reform UK Party Conference. The discussion will focus on how transport and devolution can deliver economic growth, contribute to decarbonisation and improve social mobility👇 120
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 02/09/2026British big cities are missing 2.4 million homes near stations 🏠🚉 What will it take to get them built? 👇 buff.ly/vJAJ8K9centreforcities.orgAll aboard: why mayors need to focus on building more homes near stations - Centre for CitiesNew Centre for Cities research shows that British big cities are missing 2.4 million homes near stations compared to their French and Japanese peers 060
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 02/09/2026NEW REPORT | Britain’s big cities are failing to make the most of land around their train stations. At least 2.4 million homes are missing near stations compared with peer cities in France and Japan. Read 'Mind the density gap' 👇 buff.ly/oIN0KnD 386
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 01/09/2026It's been a busy summer since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister in July ☀️ We dive into the summer's announcements and what's to come in autumn in our new podcast👇 www.centreforcities.org/podcast/city...centreforcities.orgCity Talks: Summer and the city - Centre for CitiesChief Executive Andrew Carter is joined by Jess Tulasiewicz, Head of Public Affairs and Policy, and Director of Policy and Research Anthony Breach to 010
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 01/09/2026Devolved minimum wage setting has the ability to solve geographic distortion in the minimum wage’s effect, but only if done right 👇 buff.ly/Lo0n85Jcentreforcities.orgTo make minimum wage work locally, think internationally - Centre for CitiesThe UK’s peer nations in the G7 show how minimum wage policy can better adapt to local labour markets. 000
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 28/08/2026Six things we learnt from Mayoral Strategic Authorities about skills devolution www.centreforcities.org/blog/six-thi... 010
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 26/08/2026In May, our report 'Pay check' showed how one national minimum wage has very different effects across British cities. Our new briefing, 'Pay pals', asks the next question: what can the UK learn from how other G7 countries handle geography?👇 buff.ly/1LXLzWbcentreforcities.orgPay pals: The geography of the minimum wage across G7 countries - Centre for CitiesThis briefing looks at how other G7 countries address geography in minimum wage policy and what the UK can learn from them. 032
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 26/08/2026In 2024 we published our report 'Accelerating net zero delivery'📄 Our new podcast in conversation with @sse.com looks at what's changed for cities and net zero since then🎙️👇 buff.ly/vol0W8Wcentreforcities.orgCity Talks: Cities, net zero and green energy - Centre for CitiesAndrew Carter is joined by Jasbir Basi, Head of Corporate Affairs at SSE, what's changed in the the two years since we published 'Accelerating net zero delivery'. 011
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 25/08/2026Government has announced the first £9.6bn of its Social and Affordable Homes Programme. That investment matters most where expensive housing is shutting people out of opportunity. In many cities, high rents make it harder for lower-income households to access good jobs📊👇 131
Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · 25/08/2026📢The Government has announced the first £9.6 billion of its £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme. Here are 5️⃣ pieces of our research that help put today’s announcement in context 👇 buff.ly/0hMTCzVcentreforcities.orgThe Government's social and affordable homes announcement in context - Centre for CitiesFive pieces of our research to put the Government's announcement on affordable and social housing in context. 034