Glasgow Needs Directly Elected Mayor and Comprehensive Devolution to Unlock Economic Growth

Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, is being held back by fragmented governance and a lack of control over key areas such as transport, housing, skills, and economic development, according to a new report published by the Centre for Cities think tank. The report, "The Missing Piece in the Big Cities' Jigsaw," urges the Scottish and UK governments to work together to create a mayor-led combined authority covering the Glasgow city region and to devolve significant powers and long-term funding. This move could unlock billions of pounds in economic growth and help Glasgow avoid falling behind other major UK cities.

Key Takeaways:

• The Centre for Cities estimates that if Glasgow's economy performed in line with comparable cities internationally, Scotland's GDP could be 4.6% higher, the equivalent of adding another oil and gas sector to the national economy.
• Glasgow accounts for 1.5% of total UK economic output despite covering just 0.3% of the land area, and an even larger share of the Scottish economy, supporting more than 580,000 jobs.
• The report warns that local government in and around Glasgow lacks the tools to deliver the growth required, with powers over issues such as planning and transport split across multiple councils.
• The Centre for Cities recommends using the eight-council Glasgow City Deal area as the core geography for a new combined authority.
• Susan Aitken, the SNP leader of Glasgow City Council, disputes the report's findings, arguing that Glasgow City Region is already outperforming other English city regions in terms of growth and has higher wages, a more highly qualified population, higher employment, and lower levels of child poverty.
• Andrew Carter, the Centre for Cities chief executive, argues that a directly elected mayor for the Glasgow city region would bring much-needed leadership, accountability, and the ability to shape growth around the city's needs.
• Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the report's findings, saying that a single devolution deal for Glasgow City Region would allow for more effective delivery of economic development priorities.

Statistics:

• 4.6%: the increase in Scotland's GDP that could be achieved if Glasgow's economy performed in line with comparable cities internationally.
• 1.5%: Glasgow's share of total UK economic output.
• 0.3%: Glasgow's share of the land area of the UK.
• 580,000: the number of jobs supported by the Glasgow economy.
• 4.6%: the increase in Scotland's GDP that could be achieved if Glasgow's economy performed in line with comparable cities internationally.

Sources:

• "The Missing Piece in the Big Cities' Jigsaw," Centre for Cities report.
• "Glasgow City Region has long articulated its ambition for a meaningful Devolution Deal," statement by Susan Aitken, SNP leader of Glasgow City Council.
• "We are working with partners to explore ways of devolving further powers to regional economic partnerships, including Glasgow city region," statement by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes.
• "We have been clear that Scottish regions would benefit hugely from elected mayors, just as English regions have," statement by a spokesperson for Scottish Secretary Ian Murray.