Andrew Carter
@andrewcities.bsky.social
Chief Executive at Centre for Cities. www.centreforcities.org. Views my own.
Tourist Levy (tax) incoming www.gov.uk/government/n...
Levy on overnight trips will help mayors invest in local growth
England’s mayors will be able to invest in transport, infrastructure, and the visitor economy through a new levy on overnight stays.
www.gov.uk
November 25, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Tourist Levy (tax) incoming www.gov.uk/government/n...
Reposted by Andrew Carter
My column in today’s FT: the vision since 2016 has been that the lever British governments pull to fight poverty is to increase the minimum wage. Time for government to start pulling its weight again too:
The minimum wage is not a cure all — we’re asking too much of business
Politicians spend too much time uttering cheap rhetoric about cheap labour
www.ft.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:26 PM
My column in today’s FT: the vision since 2016 has been that the lever British governments pull to fight poverty is to increase the minimum wage. Time for government to start pulling its weight again too:
Reposted by Andrew Carter
I meant to do a thread on this but got sidetracked. So a couple of thoughts…
I often struggle to come up with tangible examples of English devolution but this is one. Greater Manchester is doing its own £1bn regeneration investment fund
on.ft.com/43InqRk
on.ft.com/43InqRk
Greater Manchester to launch £1bn public investment fund
[FREE TO READ] City region aims to capitalise on sustained economic growth with first fund of its kind
on.ft.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:01 AM
I meant to do a thread on this but got sidetracked. So a couple of thoughts…
Reposted by Andrew Carter
The English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill is making strong headway in Parliament.
Report stage & 3rd reading are today and Tues.
More powers for England mayors, Supplementary Vote reintroduced, 2-tier councils replaced with unitaries, & stronger community right to buy powers. Briefing:
Report stage & 3rd reading are today and Tues.
More powers for England mayors, Supplementary Vote reintroduced, 2-tier councils replaced with unitaries, & stronger community right to buy powers. Briefing:
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2024-25
A briefing on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill 2024-25
commonslibrary.parliament.uk
November 24, 2025 at 12:39 PM
The English Devolution & Community Empowerment Bill is making strong headway in Parliament.
Report stage & 3rd reading are today and Tues.
More powers for England mayors, Supplementary Vote reintroduced, 2-tier councils replaced with unitaries, & stronger community right to buy powers. Briefing:
Report stage & 3rd reading are today and Tues.
More powers for England mayors, Supplementary Vote reintroduced, 2-tier councils replaced with unitaries, & stronger community right to buy powers. Briefing:
Reposted by Andrew Carter
🛍️ How are London's high streets performing?
🚀Join us for the launch of new research into the factors that influence high street performance in London’s and why some places have more vacant shops than others.
Find out more 👇
buff.ly/EOKSDlg
🚀Join us for the launch of new research into the factors that influence high street performance in London’s and why some places have more vacant shops than others.
Find out more 👇
buff.ly/EOKSDlg
November 24, 2025 at 11:30 AM
🛍️ How are London's high streets performing?
🚀Join us for the launch of new research into the factors that influence high street performance in London’s and why some places have more vacant shops than others.
Find out more 👇
buff.ly/EOKSDlg
🚀Join us for the launch of new research into the factors that influence high street performance in London’s and why some places have more vacant shops than others.
Find out more 👇
buff.ly/EOKSDlg
Reposted by Andrew Carter
Check out the latest edition of my @financialtimes.com newsletter. (1/2)
New York and California are losing their economic shine: on.ft.com/3KgTk0C
With insights from @scottlincicome.bsky.social, @taxfoundation.bsky.social, fDi markets, and Aziz Sunderji
New York and California are losing their economic shine: on.ft.com/3KgTk0C
With insights from @scottlincicome.bsky.social, @taxfoundation.bsky.social, fDi markets, and Aziz Sunderji
November 23, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Check out the latest edition of my @financialtimes.com newsletter. (1/2)
New York and California are losing their economic shine: on.ft.com/3KgTk0C
With insights from @scottlincicome.bsky.social, @taxfoundation.bsky.social, fDi markets, and Aziz Sunderji
New York and California are losing their economic shine: on.ft.com/3KgTk0C
With insights from @scottlincicome.bsky.social, @taxfoundation.bsky.social, fDi markets, and Aziz Sunderji
Reposted by Andrew Carter
If Starmer or Reeves wants to stand up and give a speech to unlock hundreds of billions of investment, birth thousands of new small builders and make hundreds of thousands of millionaires by the time he sits down, he should declare a Labour ‘Right to Build’ for homeowners.
January 15, 2025 at 12:16 PM
If Starmer or Reeves wants to stand up and give a speech to unlock hundreds of billions of investment, birth thousands of new small builders and make hundreds of thousands of millionaires by the time he sits down, he should declare a Labour ‘Right to Build’ for homeowners.
Reposted by Andrew Carter
Indeed. Look, if “all” that happened if we knocked down the terraced houses down the road from me is that we ended up with as much multi-use flexible office space and as many luxury flat sales in Bloomsbury as Kings Cross….cool, can fix a whole bunch of social problems that way too!
I like this post but it stops short. It might be that building loads of flats in central London doesn't reduce rents much, but that means it's creating an enormous and growing stream of rents. It's a gdp factory as @ironeconomist.bsky.social and I have discussed previously. And we need that too.
open.substack.com/pub/backofmi...
"It can be noted that supply and demand don’t have an obvious role in this model, which appears to drive some people crazy...for the very best locations, pricing will be almost completely inelastic to supply"
"It can be noted that supply and demand don’t have an obvious role in this model, which appears to drive some people crazy...for the very best locations, pricing will be almost completely inelastic to supply"
November 22, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Indeed. Look, if “all” that happened if we knocked down the terraced houses down the road from me is that we ended up with as much multi-use flexible office space and as many luxury flat sales in Bloomsbury as Kings Cross….cool, can fix a whole bunch of social problems that way too!
Reposted by Andrew Carter
I like this post but it stops short. It might be that building loads of flats in central London doesn't reduce rents much, but that means it's creating an enormous and growing stream of rents. It's a gdp factory as @ironeconomist.bsky.social and I have discussed previously. And we need that too.
open.substack.com/pub/backofmi...
"It can be noted that supply and demand don’t have an obvious role in this model, which appears to drive some people crazy...for the very best locations, pricing will be almost completely inelastic to supply"
"It can be noted that supply and demand don’t have an obvious role in this model, which appears to drive some people crazy...for the very best locations, pricing will be almost completely inelastic to supply"
david ricardo is not easily denied
the law of rent and its implications
open.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:34 AM
I like this post but it stops short. It might be that building loads of flats in central London doesn't reduce rents much, but that means it's creating an enormous and growing stream of rents. It's a gdp factory as @ironeconomist.bsky.social and I have discussed previously. And we need that too.
Reposted by Andrew Carter
"so deep was the fiscal crisis that public spending was cut and taxes on the rich went up. The result is that Britain’s top 10 per cent is the only segment paying more in taxes today than in 2010" on.ft.com/4a6clNL
if this were more widely understood, Reeves' job would be somewhat easier
if this were more widely understood, Reeves' job would be somewhat easier
Britain’s tax system combines the worst of the US and Scandinavia
The UK’s experiment in eating the rich while shrinking the state has left everyone worse off
on.ft.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:38 AM
"so deep was the fiscal crisis that public spending was cut and taxes on the rich went up. The result is that Britain’s top 10 per cent is the only segment paying more in taxes today than in 2010" on.ft.com/4a6clNL
if this were more widely understood, Reeves' job would be somewhat easier
if this were more widely understood, Reeves' job would be somewhat easier
Reposted by Andrew Carter
"it is low densities across the wider urban core (up to 5km in big cities) that is responsible for most of the gap, and where most change is needed to close it"
Also highlights the bonkers approach to private vehicle storage (takes up so much space).
Also highlights the bonkers approach to private vehicle storage (takes up so much space).
Latest @centreforcities.bsky.social report out today Flat Britain: the urban density gap and how to close it
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
Flat Britain: The urban density gap and how to close it - Centre for Cities
This report addresses the unanswered questions that remain – exactly where should British cities increase density, and how can they do it?
www.centreforcities.org
November 20, 2025 at 11:00 AM
"it is low densities across the wider urban core (up to 5km in big cities) that is responsible for most of the gap, and where most change is needed to close it"
Also highlights the bonkers approach to private vehicle storage (takes up so much space).
Also highlights the bonkers approach to private vehicle storage (takes up so much space).
Yep. Call more more demolition is in there.
We compare demolition rates in England with France and Japan 😱
We compare demolition rates in England with France and Japan 😱
V good this. Would add: we also need to demolish more!
British cities are too flat — and it’s holding back housing supply.
Our new blog shows a big density gap with France and Japan, driven by missing mid-rise homes.
Read more 👉 buff.ly/mm3GBRX
Our new blog shows a big density gap with France and Japan, driven by missing mid-rise homes.
Read more 👉 buff.ly/mm3GBRX
November 20, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Yep. Call more more demolition is in there.
We compare demolition rates in England with France and Japan 😱
We compare demolition rates in England with France and Japan 😱
nice imagery 👏
Remarkable new data and analysis of UK cities’ density problem. Tiny islands of lukewarm city centre development trapped tightly in a frozen sea of suburbia. TCPA was like an ice age descending on cities.
Latest @centreforcities.bsky.social report out today Flat Britain: the urban density gap and how to close it
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
November 20, 2025 at 10:52 AM
nice imagery 👏
Reposted by Andrew Carter
Remarkable new data and analysis of UK cities’ density problem. Tiny islands of lukewarm city centre development trapped tightly in a frozen sea of suburbia. TCPA was like an ice age descending on cities.
Latest @centreforcities.bsky.social report out today Flat Britain: the urban density gap and how to close it
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
Flat Britain: The urban density gap and how to close it - Centre for Cities
This report addresses the unanswered questions that remain – exactly where should British cities increase density, and how can they do it?
www.centreforcities.org
November 20, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Remarkable new data and analysis of UK cities’ density problem. Tiny islands of lukewarm city centre development trapped tightly in a frozen sea of suburbia. TCPA was like an ice age descending on cities.
You might like this @jonnelledge.bsky.social
Latest @centreforcities.bsky.social report out today Flat Britain: the urban density gap and how to close it
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
Flat Britain: The urban density gap and how to close it - Centre for Cities
This report addresses the unanswered questions that remain – exactly where should British cities increase density, and how can they do it?
www.centreforcities.org
November 20, 2025 at 8:54 AM
You might like this @jonnelledge.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrew Carter
"It would mean more people could benefit from those frequent Central Line services. It is exactly what I hoped this Labour government might do.
"And I almost missed it, because they instead won’t shut up about being horrible to foreigners."
"And I almost missed it, because they instead won’t shut up about being horrible to foreigners."
The Weekly Howl
The British government just did something I agree with, and it feels almost gross to mention it. Also: who invented the week? And some Beeching-themed maps.
jonn.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:41 AM
"It would mean more people could benefit from those frequent Central Line services. It is exactly what I hoped this Labour government might do.
"And I almost missed it, because they instead won’t shut up about being horrible to foreigners."
"And I almost missed it, because they instead won’t shut up about being horrible to foreigners."
Reposted by Andrew Carter
Britain is missing 2.3m urban homes.
Our new report shows cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds are far less dense than peers in France and Japan — holding back growth 👇
buff.ly/fkqDTjU
Our new report shows cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds are far less dense than peers in France and Japan — holding back growth 👇
buff.ly/fkqDTjU
November 20, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Britain is missing 2.3m urban homes.
Our new report shows cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds are far less dense than peers in France and Japan — holding back growth 👇
buff.ly/fkqDTjU
Our new report shows cities like Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds are far less dense than peers in France and Japan — holding back growth 👇
buff.ly/fkqDTjU
Reposted by Andrew Carter
Latest @centreforcities.bsky.social report out today Flat Britain: the urban density gap and how to close it
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
Flat Britain: The urban density gap and how to close it - Centre for Cities
This report addresses the unanswered questions that remain – exactly where should British cities increase density, and how can they do it?
www.centreforcities.org
November 20, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Latest @centreforcities.bsky.social report out today Flat Britain: the urban density gap and how to close it
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
Reposted by Andrew Carter
The obvious answer to the UK’s housing crisis has always been more density in cities.
Time to think about how to best facilitate mid rise housing and to make renting a more attractive option.
Time to think about how to best facilitate mid rise housing and to make renting a more attractive option.
Latest @centreforcities.bsky.social report out today Flat Britain: the urban density gap and how to close it
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
Flat Britain: The urban density gap and how to close it - Centre for Cities
This report addresses the unanswered questions that remain – exactly where should British cities increase density, and how can they do it?
www.centreforcities.org
November 20, 2025 at 8:12 AM
The obvious answer to the UK’s housing crisis has always been more density in cities.
Time to think about how to best facilitate mid rise housing and to make renting a more attractive option.
Time to think about how to best facilitate mid rise housing and to make renting a more attractive option.
Reposted by Andrew Carter
Some very impressive data + policy analysis here
Latest @centreforcities.bsky.social report out today Flat Britain: the urban density gap and how to close it
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
Flat Britain: The urban density gap and how to close it - Centre for Cities
This report addresses the unanswered questions that remain – exactly where should British cities increase density, and how can they do it?
www.centreforcities.org
November 20, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Some very impressive data + policy analysis here
Latest @centreforcities.bsky.social report out today Flat Britain: the urban density gap and how to close it
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
Flat Britain: The urban density gap and how to close it - Centre for Cities
This report addresses the unanswered questions that remain – exactly where should British cities increase density, and how can they do it?
www.centreforcities.org
November 20, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Latest @centreforcities.bsky.social report out today Flat Britain: the urban density gap and how to close it
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
www.centreforcities.org/publication/...
Reposted by Andrew Carter
Detail here on today's planning reforms:
1) Default permission for new homes "within reasonable walking distance" of train station, even on greenbelt
2) Government intervention if councils plan to refuse large sites
3) Review of statutory consultees
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
1) Default permission for new homes "within reasonable walking distance" of train station, even on greenbelt
2) Government intervention if councils plan to refuse large sites
3) Review of statutory consultees
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
Information from UK Parliament on written questions & answers, written statements and daily reports.
questions-statements.parliament.uk
November 18, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Detail here on today's planning reforms:
1) Default permission for new homes "within reasonable walking distance" of train station, even on greenbelt
2) Government intervention if councils plan to refuse large sites
3) Review of statutory consultees
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
1) Default permission for new homes "within reasonable walking distance" of train station, even on greenbelt
2) Government intervention if councils plan to refuse large sites
3) Review of statutory consultees
questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-stat...
Reposted by Andrew Carter
We are moving towards a more rules-based planning system.
As part of that shift, the default answer to suitable planning applications within a reasonable walking distance of well-connected stations will be a straightforward “yes”.
As part of that shift, the default answer to suitable planning applications within a reasonable walking distance of well-connected stations will be a straightforward “yes”.
November 18, 2025 at 12:45 PM
We are moving towards a more rules-based planning system.
As part of that shift, the default answer to suitable planning applications within a reasonable walking distance of well-connected stations will be a straightforward “yes”.
As part of that shift, the default answer to suitable planning applications within a reasonable walking distance of well-connected stations will be a straightforward “yes”.
Reposted by Andrew Carter
Excellent column from @stephenkb.bsky.social on what
@alanmanning4.bsky.social refers to as the “infernal circle” of immigration policy www.ft.com/content/1144...
@alanmanning4.bsky.social refers to as the “infernal circle” of immigration policy www.ft.com/content/1144...
Labour needs a way out of the infernal circle of immigration policy
Politics today is about ‘open vs closed’, but the UK government’s approach risks appeasing no one
www.ft.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Excellent column from @stephenkb.bsky.social on what
@alanmanning4.bsky.social refers to as the “infernal circle” of immigration policy www.ft.com/content/1144...
@alanmanning4.bsky.social refers to as the “infernal circle” of immigration policy www.ft.com/content/1144...