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Rob Johnson @rjson.bsky.social · 1h

Have a read here:

How productive are the UK’s big cities? - Centre for Cities

This briefing dives into the latest subregional productivity data to understand the trends over the past 20 years and what it can tell us about local and national economic performance

www.centreforcities.org

Rob Johnson @rjson.bsky.social · 1h

Miracle or mirage? Key chart in our latest report on the productivity performance of big cities over the last two decades.

Short answer - there has been convergence, reflecting secondary cities catching up alongside London's stagnation. But better local statistics are vital for sensible discussion

Ant Breach @antbreach.bsky.social · 8h

The labour inputs data is more odd. It's remained stable partly as self-employment data has fallen off a cliff, which has boosted productivity estimates.

But is inconsistent with HMRC tax records on self employment, which haven't declined.

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Rob Johnson @rjson.bsky.social · 13d

Both articles with good points on university spin-outs: the issue isn't start-ups but scale-ups in the UK (no doubt because of big city underperformance); and limits of the science-park model. And our recent work: universities have less impact on local innovation than you might think (even Oxbridge)

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Paul Nightingale @paulnightingale.bsky.social · 15d

Very nice piece on the evidence on getting a university degree in the UK by @amyborrett.ft.com

www.ft.com/content/3df3...

No, the UK has not reached ‘peak graduate’

The salary and non-salary data show degrees still deliver for students in the long run

www.ft.com

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jacktshaw.bsky.social @jacktshaw.bsky.social · 22d

I've written in The MJ with Patrick Diamond about London devolution.

Stronger governance and more fiscal autonomy are important enablers to get London motoring, alongside more muscle to build infrastructure and homes:
www.themj.co.uk/stronger-dev...

Stronger devo can solve the London problem

Before Labour entered Downing Street in July last year, the Conservatives had a fractious relationship with London's mayor. The Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps,...

www.themj.co.uk

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Rob Johnson @rjson.bsky.social · 23d

Branch campuses are popping up in university 'coldspots'. Would attracting one in be a good way to achieve local growth?

Possibly. Though often these outposts only pop up in places already with an offer - specific strengths in their local economy. Worth investing in these first.

👇

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Rob Johnson @rjson.bsky.social · Sep 9

I set this in a summary blog of our work, taking four cities (Plymouth, Exeter, Coventry, Cambridge) as examples of where universities play different - and important - local roles. Shows where their impacts spill beyond their campuses and in what way

A tale of four cities: what local economic role do their universities play? - Centre for Cities

Plymouth, Exeter, Coventry and Cambridge are examples for what different university roles mean for pursuing local growth.

www.centreforcities.org

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Rob Johnson @rjson.bsky.social · Sep 9

Happy that our work on universities is the basis for a thoughtful Guardian editorial on the state of the sector.

In economic terms, 'universities are not ivory towers'. Reforms to the sector are a part the mission to deliver growth across the country - it is up to Government to recognise that.

The Guardian view on university finances: stop chipping away at a crumbling system | Editorial

Editorial: Economic and academic activity are bound up together. Charging international students more for less will not fix deep-seated problems

www.theguardian.com

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Wonkhe @wonkhe.bsky.social · Sep 8

NEW on Wonkhe: Regulatory and financial incentives are harming growth. James Coe sets out why it's time to reform them. buff.ly/fPVFJ8y

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Rob Johnson @rjson.bsky.social · Sep 8

There is plenty to like about this pledge to help universities diversify income. But it really doesn't tackle the wider issues they face, or recognise their primary local roles in their home cities.

My blog on last week's announcement 👇

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Rob Johnson @rjson.bsky.social · Sep 5

There's much more in our Town and Gown report, asking: what are the roles that universities really play in their home city's economy?

Town and gown: The role of universities in city economies - Centre for Cities

This briefing sets out how local universities contribute to cities’ economic development as high-skilled employers, international exporters, catalysts for city-centre regeneration and innovators.

www.centreforcities.org

Rob Johnson @rjson.bsky.social · Sep 5

See also: balancing objectives between immigration policy and ambitions to deliver growth everywhere.

E.g. Look at all the cities more reliant on unis for international exports (i.e. overseas fees and local spending) than Oxford.

Place-based impact cannot be ignored

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Rob Johnson @rjson.bsky.social · Sep 4

Hi Paula - our work focuses on the UK's 63 largest cities and towns, so we consider only these places (and the unis registered in those places). It means we don't directly consider universities such as Lincoln, Bath, or Cantebury.

I've linked our city defnition - hope this helps!

Centre for Cities City Definition

Centre for Cities defines a city as a 'Primary Urban Area' and looks at 63 across the UK This page explains what they are and which cities are included.

www.centreforcities.org

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Rob Johnson @rjson.bsky.social · Sep 4

This article is an excellent write up of our work on universities and their economic role in UK cities.

A balanced account on what they can (and can't) do in local economies, and a recognition that any reforms to the sector must take place into consideration.

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · Sep 4

'underpinning all of this is an inescapable truth. Government policy, particularly on international students, risks destroying economic activity in the places that desperately benefit from university.'

Universities can't solve every problem with the economy

Universities make places richer but not in the same way everywhere

wonkhe.com

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Nick Gray @path-dependent.bsky.social · Sep 3

Good briefing.

As I always say, in England's poorest region - the north east - there are three times as many jobs in higher education than there are in the manufacture of motor vehicles.

Centre for Cities @centreforcities.bsky.social · Sep 3

NEW BRIEFING | Town and gown 🏙️🎓

How do local universities contribute to cities’ economic development as high-skilled employers, international exporters, catalysts for city-centre regeneration and innovators?

Read the briefing 🔎👇
buff.ly/qhkNzSi

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Henry G Overman @henryoverman.bsky.social · Sep 3

An important point from @centreforcities.bsky.social on the uneven impact of the university crisis. While bigger universities matter for the national impact, the local economic impact will be bigger where smaller universities dominate their local economy www.centreforcities.org/publication/...

Town and gown: The role of universities in city economies - Centre for Cities

This briefing sets out how local universities contribute to cities’ economic development as high-skilled employers, international exporters, catalysts for city-centre regeneration and innovators.

www.centreforcities.org

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Reposted by Rob Johnson

Ant Breach @antbreach.bsky.social · Sep 3

Our new briefing is about the role of universities in their local economies.

The short version is - places don't need a university to be prosperous, but where cities have them they are sizable chunk of the local knowledge economy.