YORK RANKED 11TH MOST COMPETITIVE CITY IN UK (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

YORK RANKED 11TH MOST COMPETITIVE CITY IN UK

September 4, 2008 12:00 AM

York has been ranked the 11th most competitive city in the country, up by 32 places from 2006.

The UK Competitiveness Index, published by the Centre for International Competitiveness at the University of Wales Institute, says that York's economic competitiveness has greatly improved, ranking the city 11th on the localities index, above Leeds which is at 14th place.

The report says of the growing competitiveness of Northern cities: "this highlights the strides these cities have made in recent years in improving their business and economic infrastructure".

Liberal Democrat Leader of City of York Council, Cllr Andrew Waller, said: "The figures which take into account a wide range of factors measuring the local economy show that generally the city is doing well. The report says that there have been 'strides in improving the business and economic infrastructure' of the city."

"However, we must work hard to maintain this through high standards of education, good environment and seizing the development opportunities that are available to York. The council is not being complacent, especially with the national economy slowing down, and so I will be pressing officers to develop the "Thriving City" initiative launched in July which is looking at how the council, partners and the business community can work together to weather the downturn."

"This significant improvement for the city further disproves the recent report from Policy Exchange, described as David Cameron's favourite think tank in the media, claiming many towns and cities in the North are failing and regeneration would not save them. Indeed this new report claims that the reversal of the North South divide is continuing."