The research examines the overall UK population change and regional changes between the 1980s and 2003. The performance of individual cities is assessed, highlighting cities with high growth and the least dynamic cities. Population shifts within cities and intra-urban change are investigated. The contribution of city centre living to the revival of cities is discussed. Aspects of population composition are examined such as age structure, household composition and ethnic composition. Components of population change are assessed -  international migration and within-UK migration.  An outline of employment trends since 1991 provides information on changes in self-employment, and changes in employment for individual cities. The report assesses the overall contribution of the 56 cities to national growth in population and employment.

This report is one of a series of six thematic reports associated with the State of the English Cities report. The demographic information provides the context for the more detailed examination of economic competitiveness, social cohesion, liveability and public attitudes that are set out in the other thematic reports. It looks at the extent to which the latest demographic patterns and trends represent a continuation or departure from previous trends, and forms a basis for discussing the role of government policy.

The research uses the 10-fold State of the English Cities Report (SOCR) classification to examine population growth. Mid-year population estimates produced by the Office for National Statistics are analysed and data on age is taken from the latest official population estimates. Data is obtained from the Population Census for 1991 and 2001. 

Information on the contribution of city-centre living to the revival of cities draws on results of the City People project for the Institute for Public Policy Research Centre for Cities. Migration data is drawn from a study of 2001 Census data for 27 cities. The Annual Business Inquiry and the Annual Employment Survey provide data for the analysis of trends in employment.

The 56 cities that are the subject of the SOCR study make up a substantial proportion of England’s total population and economic activity. Therefore what happens in these cities is of importance to the overall performance of the nation’s economy and well-being of the inhabitants. London accounts for almost one-third of the 56-city totals of jobs and residents. The aggregate contribution of the 56 cities to national growth has been rising in recent years. The cities that have contributed most to national growth are the ones with more people in high-status occupations, higher incomes, and higher educational attainment.

Communities and Local Government
Eland House, Bressenden Place
SW1E 5DU London
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 020 7944 4400
Contactus@communities.gsi.gov.uk

01/11/2006

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Prof. Tony Champion, Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne

research

Urban Policy > Economy knowledge & employment > Urban economy

Employment