Budget 2011: A plan for city growth?

Date: 17/03/2011

In the face of a tentative economic recovery and public sector spending cuts, can the Treasury safeguard the economic future of the UK’s cities? This post Budget briefing will debate whether the 2011 Budget will deliver the resources and freedoms needed by Britain’s cities to drive economic growth through the uncertain times ahead.

A week on from the Budget announcement, Rt Hon Danny Alexander MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, will join our expert panel to reflect on the implications for business and cities in 2011 and beyond.  James Crabtree (FT Comment Editor) will chair and also on the panel will be Alexandra Jones (Chief Executive, Centre for Cities) and Mike Moore (Chief Executive, Westminster City Council).

A main theme that came out of the session was the potential divergency between the Government's localism and growth agendas. We've put together an overview of the main points raised - from planning and infrastructure, to city leadership and Enterprise Zones.