Leeds one of UK’s most improved cities

Leeds has been named the UK’s top performer in a new report highlighting the country’s most improved places to live and work.

PwC’s annual Good Growth for Cities report saw Leeds come joint number one thanks to a surge in the local tech sector and saw the city climb the ranks in key areas including jobs, new businesses, skills, work/life balance, health, the environment, quality of life, affordability of housing, and income inequality.

The survey, which uses ten categories to measure economic performance, also suggests that cities in the north are now narrowing the gap with their southern counterparts.

According to the report, 70 per cent of digital technology investment in the UK last year was into regional clusters outside London, where tech businesses raised more than £4.6 billion.

Leeds alone is now home to 23,734 digital jobs and has a tech sector growth potential of 92 per cent.

The PwC report also highlights the importance of cities having a clear strategy for inclusive growth, strategic investments, and for supporting businesses.

Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “This is a superb result for Leeds and we’re thrilled to see that the years of hard work by everyone dedicated to seeing Leeds improve is paying off in such impressive fashion.

“The city has seen a string of transformative developments and initiatives in recent years which have changed the face of the city and made a genuine difference to the lives of those living here- and that’s a trend we can and will work to continue in future.

“Inevitably with growth and success, comes challenges and we must ensure that everyone in Leeds is given the chance to be part of the city’s success story.

“Our strategy for the future growth of Leeds will focus on improving opportunities for all, including the quality of jobs, as well as better equipping our communities to respond to these exciting economic changes through improved housing, transport and connectivity, investment in neighbourhoods, and the transformation of our town centres.

“Leeds deserves this success and the people who live here deserve to see the benefits of it on their doorsteps, which is what we will work hard to accomplish.”