Rob Johnson
@rjson.bsky.social
Senior analyst, Centre for Cities. All things urban economics - mainly labour markets, living standards, transport, and innovation. Fan of working with data and visualising it.
Reposted by Rob Johnson
Going by 2023 data, Leeds is now above the national level of productivity (even accounting for the noise in hours worked data). It would be the third big city to do so, after London and Bristol. So it has the potential to be quite a regional economic hub.
December 18, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Going by 2023 data, Leeds is now above the national level of productivity (even accounting for the noise in hours worked data). It would be the third big city to do so, after London and Bristol. So it has the potential to be quite a regional economic hub.
To be clear, this reflects my overall feelings on the announcement, particularly what it signals for government ambitions for actually going for growth across the country. Just maybe less doom-y about it on what it actually means for Leeds
If your cost-benefit model tells you it isn't worth investing in a tram or light rail system for an urban area with a population of well over 1m, like Leeds-Bradford, your model is wrong and should be thrown in the bin.
December 18, 2025 at 10:52 AM
To be clear, this reflects my overall feelings on the announcement, particularly what it signals for government ambitions for actually going for growth across the country. Just maybe less doom-y about it on what it actually means for Leeds
3. I know you're all full of burning questions about what devolution in Glasgow could look like. Why is it important? What are the options? Should it be a 'mayor' or a 'provost'?
Thankfully we've got a comprehensive FAQ to answer all that and more:
Thankfully we've got a comprehensive FAQ to answer all that and more:
December 15, 2025 at 3:25 PM
3. I know you're all full of burning questions about what devolution in Glasgow could look like. Why is it important? What are the options? Should it be a 'mayor' or a 'provost'?
Thankfully we've got a comprehensive FAQ to answer all that and more:
Thankfully we've got a comprehensive FAQ to answer all that and more:
2. Want to know how UK city densities compare to France and Japan? We've published some pleasingly interactive data on density gaps in British cities, focused in the 'urban cores' of our large urban areas 👇
Want to compare how dense cities are in Britain, France and Japan? You're in luck! @centreforcities.bsky.social just released our data
As you can see, British big cities are very flat compared to their international peers.
... 🧵
As you can see, British big cities are very flat compared to their international peers.
... 🧵
December 15, 2025 at 3:25 PM
2. Want to know how UK city densities compare to France and Japan? We've published some pleasingly interactive data on density gaps in British cities, focused in the 'urban cores' of our large urban areas 👇
Which would make clearer whether the 'right' to request is in fact an 'invitation' to request (it should be!).
It all plays back into being sharper on what the Rail Bill should be aiming for in big cities - London-style powers over the whole of their transport networks. See my blog for more:
It all plays back into being sharper on what the Rail Bill should be aiming for in big cities - London-style powers over the whole of their transport networks. See my blog for more:
The Railways Bill must recognise the economic role of commuter rail in big cities - Centre for Cities
The Railways Bill does not make a clear distinction between inter- and intra-city rail services, which makes its economic goals less clear.
www.centreforcities.org
December 4, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Which would make clearer whether the 'right' to request is in fact an 'invitation' to request (it should be!).
It all plays back into being sharper on what the Rail Bill should be aiming for in big cities - London-style powers over the whole of their transport networks. See my blog for more:
It all plays back into being sharper on what the Rail Bill should be aiming for in big cities - London-style powers over the whole of their transport networks. See my blog for more:
Exactly - a model that is a relatively light touch intervention which will drastically increase connectivity in city regions.
The sort of revenue raising powers we called for in our integrated transport so mayors (and the national economy) can maximise benefits through urban connectivity
The sort of revenue raising powers we called for in our integrated transport so mayors (and the national economy) can maximise benefits through urban connectivity
November 25, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Exactly - a model that is a relatively light touch intervention which will drastically increase connectivity in city regions.
The sort of revenue raising powers we called for in our integrated transport so mayors (and the national economy) can maximise benefits through urban connectivity
The sort of revenue raising powers we called for in our integrated transport so mayors (and the national economy) can maximise benefits through urban connectivity
Reposted by Rob Johnson
Details to be consulted on. Big and important decisions to make on how it would actually work. Simply - welsh model = bad. Scottish model = good www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
How should a tourist tax work for England’s mayors? - Centre for Cities
This briefing argues that a Scottish-style tourist tax would be more appropriate for England than a Welsh-style tourist tax
www.centreforcities.org
November 25, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Details to be consulted on. Big and important decisions to make on how it would actually work. Simply - welsh model = bad. Scottish model = good www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
Clearly merits to that policy. But that would be a national govt policy (they are national institutions), while a visitor levy is a local revenue raising (and local growth) measure! I think they're two separate conversations - touch on it in my blog here:
Tourist taxes are not about keeping museums free - Centre for Cities
Free museums are a national government policy. So mayors should not pay for this with local tourist taxes – it would swallow up the proceeds and blunt incentives for growth.
www.centreforcities.org
November 25, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Clearly merits to that policy. But that would be a national govt policy (they are national institutions), while a visitor levy is a local revenue raising (and local growth) measure! I think they're two separate conversations - touch on it in my blog here: