18 Jan 2015

Comment on Cities Outlook 2015 report by Centre for Cities


Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Keith Wakefield has made the following comment on the Cities Outlook 2015 report produced by Centre for Cities which has been published today.



Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Keith Wakefield said:



“It is a fantastic achievement for Leeds to have had the highest percentage increase of new private sector jobs of any of the core cities even outperforming London in 2012/13. This is testament not only to the resilience of the Leeds economy in such testing times, but also the positive environment for growth which gives companies the confidence to invest here creating vital new jobs.



“While this is very welcome, the report as a whole does highlight areas Leeds needs to improve such as inequality in our city and the need to reduce our levels of carbon emissions. We are working hard in these areas, and as suggested in the report devolution of powers and responsibilities would enable us to make major improvements to boost our economy and people’s lives, and to tackle the problems being caused by the continuing north-south economic divide and the two-tier economy it has caused in the UK.”



For more information on the report go to www.centreforcities.org



ENDS



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