Glasgow Risks Being Left Behind Without Metro Mayor, Warns Think-Tank

Strategic Insights -

Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, is facing a potential economic crisis due to the lack of a metro mayor, a prominent think-tank has warned. The Centre for Cities report, The Missing Piece In The Big Cities' Jigsaw, highlights that city regions with directly-elected mayors receive more investment, better infrastructure, and faster growth. The report claims that if Glasgow's economy performed in line with the average for cities its size, Scotland's GDP would be 4.6 per cent larger than it is now.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Centre for Cities report argues that city regions with directly-elected mayors receive more investment, better infrastructure, and faster growth.
  • Glasgow's economy would be 4.6 per cent larger if it performed in line with the average for cities its size, according to the report.
  • Scotland's largest city is being left behind by places like Manchester, Leeds, and Bristol, with its GDP growth rate lagging behind that of other major UK cities.
  • A metro mayor for Glasgow would unlock the power to plan transport, housing, skills, and economic growth at the scale of the city region, according to Andrew Carter, chief executive of Centre for Cities.
  • A devolution deal would require legislation from the Scottish Government, but evidence from south of the Border shows that metro mayors are delivering growth, raising living standards, and bringing democratic accountability.
  • Scottish Labour MP Dr Zubir Ahmed claims that failing to adapt to the changing economic landscape could see Scottish cities left behind.
  • Dr Zubir supports the introduction of directly-elected mayors, saying it would be "very supportive of it" and would help Glasgow grow its population base and attract more investment.
  • The report was welcomed by Scotland Secretary Ian Murray and Glasgow South West MP Dr Zubir Ahmed, but dismissed by Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken.
  • Former Edinburgh City Council leader Donald Anderson supports the idea of a metro mayor, but stresses it's not just about having a mayor, but the structures around them.

Statistics:

  • Scotland's GDP would be 4.6 per cent larger if Glasgow's economy performed in line with the average for cities its size, according to the report.
  • Glasgow's GDP growth rate lags behind that of other major UK cities, with a report by the Centre for Cities citing that the city is being left behind by Manchester, Leeds, and Bristol.
  • There are 10 combined local authorities in England that have a metro mayor, with Greater Manchester being the first to implement the system in 2011.
  • A devolution deal for Glasgow would unlock the power to plan transport, housing, skills, and economic growth at the scale of the city region.
  • The Scottish Government has partly funded the Glasgow city-region's £1.13 billion growth deal and supported Glasgow city region's £160 million investment zone.

Sources:

  • "The Missing Piece In The Big Cities' Jigsaw" report by the Centre for Cities
  • The Scotsman newspaper
  • Scotland Secretary Ian Murray
  • Glasgow South West MP Dr Zubir Ahmed
  • Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken
  • Former Edinburgh City Council leader Donald Anderson