City leaders gather for Core Cities Summit

The country’s eight major cities will join Government ministers, leading politicians and key figures from the academic and business community in this year’s big city debate.

These eight cities, whose surrounding areas - the city regions - draw in a population of more than 16 million.

The eight Core Cities - Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield - have been dubbed the powerhouses of the country's economy by Government. They are together for the annual Core Cities Summit being held in Nottingham on November 7 and 8 2007.

Hazel Blears will give her first address to the city leaders since taking up office under Gordon Brown in June. In her role as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, she'll set out her vision for cities in light of the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration, published by Government in June.

The Sub-National Review has signalled the Government's recognition of the progress made by cities in driving the economic growth of their regions. The Review demonstrates the Government's commitment to equipping cities with the tools to further deliver their own future success - something the Core Cities Group have welcomed.

John Healey MP, minister for Communities and Local Government, was an architect of the Sub-National Review and he'll be at the Summit to focus on the implementation of the Review's recommendations in driving up the global competitiveness of English cities, supported by proposals for greater devolution from central government.

Throughout the two-day Summit, key city figures from across the UK will hear from:

• The Rt. Hon Hazel Blears MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
• John Healey MP, Minister of State for Communities and Local Government
• The Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
• Lord Digby Jones of Birmingham, Minister of State for Trade and Investment and former Director General of the CBI
• Prof. Michael Parkinson, European Institute of Urban Affairs, Liverpool John Moores University
• Sir. David King, Chief Scientific Advisor to Government

In recent years, the Core Cities Group has made a significant contribution to championing the collective and individual significance of England's eight major regional cities. Evidence from the State of the English Cities report in 2006 showed that the success of the national economy depends on the competitiveness of the Core Cities and this is why the Core Cities Group will continue to work with Government as a delivery partner to push forward devolution to the cities and their regions.

In recent years, the Core Cities have made huge strides in improving the way cities work and how they are perceived. During 1995 - 2004 the Core Cities1 increased their Gross Value Added (GVA) outputs by 65%, contributing 11% of England's total GVA (The Core Cities with London contributed 33% of England's total output of GVA).

The Core Cities have an 18% share of national (English) employment with over four million employees working in the primary urban areas, and have a combined average of 24% of the working age population trained to degree level or above powering their knowledge economies. In the key area of transport, the Core Cities are major hubs in their regions with over 55 million using the associated airports and over 98m people travelling through the rail stations.

Leader of Manchester City council Sir Richard Leese is speaking at the summit. He said:" It's vital for us to progress the debate about the contribution Britain's major cities make to the national economy. Manchester is committed to raising the profile of the city nationally and internationally, and is proud to take its place in delivering a competitive British economy. This Summit will put the spotlight on issues we feel are important such as the transformation of our neighbourhoods and the creation of communities which benefit from a renewed emphasis on cities as the most sustainable places to live.''

The Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change, which has to date been signed by more than 200 local authorities, was an important first step in cities taking the lead on sustainability. The Rt Hon. Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will conclude the Summit, where the Core Cities will set out joint plans for tackling climate change.

Chris Murray, Director of the Core Cities Group said: ''The key to the future success of all cities will be an ability to combine high levels of economic growth and cultural vitality with securing a sound environmental future. The Core City areas account for around 25% of the nation's carbon emissions, but in the Core Cities themselves, emissions per person are considerably below average, as a result of densification. The Cities recognise that they are well placed to tackle the threats and opportunities of climate change, and the impact their leadership can have on this issue. We are keen to work with government and other partners to deliver change and will set out our thinking at the Summit."

Media contact:

Janine Watson, tel 0161 234 3337