Our work with the OECD, launched just before the Pandemic, provided us with a strong evidence base for our arguments about devolution and decentralisation. A follow up report, looking at the lessons learned from the pandemic, is to be launched later in 2021.

We launched our Core Cities UK Universities Declaration where cities and 24 of our universities set out how they can boost and broaden research and development spend, create high skilled jobs and help to level up the UK’s nations and regions. This work led to a number of ministerial meetings.

Core Cities believes in continued post Brexit working between UK and European Cities. Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees gave an address to the EUROCITIES 2020 Conference.

Our city leaders also wrote to the African American Mayors Association pledging support and criticising the then President Donald Trump's response to Black Lives Matters protests.

We continued to work towards COP 26, due to be held in Glasgow later in 2021. Our work with UK 100 to create a Resilient Recovery Task Force was recognised by colleagues from across the local government sector.

We continued our alliance with like-minded groups like Key Cities working with them on a range of projects including engagement with the Conservative led Levelling Up Task Force and a report with Centre for Cities on the effects of Covid-19 on our city centres. (LINK TO FOLLOW).

We also submitted evidence to a host of Government whitepapers and enquiries including:

  • Spending Review and Local Government Finance Inquiry
  • DCMS National Data Strategy
  • HMT Economic Impact of Covid-19
  • APPG Devolution in England
  • NHS Integrated Care Systems
  • Budget Submission Jan 2021
  • Local Government Finance Provisional Settlement 2021-22 and LGF Section 114 
  • HMT Green Book