Report

Good growth: What, where, how?

This report from UK think tank Centre for Cities focuses on good growth across the country.

As the barriers to good growth vary across the country, local government – mayors and strategic authorities in particular – is best positioned to tailor interventions to local needs.

Because of this, the devolution of powers and responsibilities that enhance the ability of places to improve their local economy should be the priority. Further devolution must be designed first and foremost to achieve access to good growth in every postcode.

For Centre for Cities, two related questions need to be answered to determine whether good growth is being generated:

1. Are enough jobs being created, and are enough of them higher-paid jobs?

Jobs are the main way people benefit from a growing economy. So, a successful economy needs to create enough jobs for people to find work and increase the availability of well-paid, secure employment.

2. Can people access those jobs?

Creating more and better jobs only improves people’s living standards if they can access those opportunities. Access depends on people’s skills and qualifications, support to enter employment, and whether transport and housing allow them to live within a commutable distance.

This distinction has important consequences for policy. It separates the creation of economic opportunity from access to economic opportunity, while recognising that good growth requires both.