Edinburgh has joined Core Cities UK, becoming the organisation's 12th member city, its third national capital, and expanding the UK-wide reach of the group as it prepares to celebrate its 30th birthday later this year.
Edinburgh will join Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield to become a member of an organisation that has a 30 year track record of implementing policy change across the UK.
Edinburgh is one of the most economically successful places in the country but, like other Core Cities, has areas of the city where overall health, earning potential and life expectancy fall well below national averages.
The Scottish capital will play a key role in the group's thinking around inclusive economic growth and other members hope to learn from its development of a tourism levy, which will come into effect in Edinburgh next Summer.
Cllr Jane Meagher, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I'm delighted that we’ve joined Core Cities UK and look forward to sharing our knowledge, ideas and experiences with other member cities.
“Edinburgh continues to perform well as a place to live, work, visit and invest in, but we still face many of the same urban challenges as our partners. Growing populations are creating ever increasing demand for homes, public services and infrastructure, while many of our residents are struggling with the cost of living – meaning poverty, homelessness and economic inactivity remain the biggest challenges of our time.
“From my early discussions with the Chair and other member cities, it’s been clear how much we have in common – both in terms of these challenges, but also our priorities. I have no doubt that this collaboration will help us to solve our collective problems while growing more sustainably for the benefit of all of our residents.”
Cllr James Lewis, Chair of Core Cities UK and Leader of Leeds City Council, added: "Edinburgh joining us is an historic moment for Core Cities and solidifies our position as the authoritative voice of urban Britain. We have always argued that cities have certain things in common, no matter which nation - either within the UK or abroad - they are situated in and we look forward to getting Edinburgh's unique perspective on our policy discussions."
Core Cities' mission is to unlock the full potential of our great city regions to create a stronger, fairer economy and society. With the addition of Edinburgh, Core Cities will generate more than 25 per cent of the economy and will be home to more than 22 million people.
Core Cities UK is a leading voice in policy around devolution and decentralisation and its reports with organisations including OECD and RSA are used as benchmarks within the sector. It also has strong private sector relationships with a variety of companies including Landsec and Lloyds Banking Group and works closely with the English Combined Authority Mayors as well as local Government in London.
Founded by a number of English councils in 1995, it is headquartered in Manchester and will celebrate its 30th anniversary this summer.
I'm delighted that we’ve joined Core Cities UK and look forward to sharing our knowledge, ideas and experiences with other member cities.
Cllr Jane Meagher, Leader of Edinburgh City Council
