Dermot Finch, Director of the Centre for Cities, said:

“We support the Mayor of London Bill and the new powers for Ken Livingstone over housing, planning and skills. Ken's new housing powers will help deliver the thousands of new homes that the capital needs. His strategic planning powers will help make major projects happen, like Crossrail and the Olympics. And his new London-wide employment and skills board will tackle the rising numbers of workless people in London, and improve adult skills.

“The Local Government Bill should learn from the lessons of London, and devolve real powers to our other major cities like Greater Manchester - which is 40 per cent of the North West's economy. It will also give all towns and cities greater freedoms, reducing the number of central targets and strengthening local council leadership.”

Notes to Editors:

The Centre for Cities is an independent research unit that is taking a fresh look at how UK cities work, with a strong focus on the economic drivers behind urban growth and change.

The Centre is looking in depth at UK cities’ economic performance, and at cities that have successfully improved, diversified, or expanded their enterprise base.