Great Western Cities report authored by Metro Dynamics receives widespread press coverage

The Great Western Cities released its report ‘Britain’s Western Powerhouse’, authored by Metro Dynamics, last Friday. The launch of the report has received widespread press coverage at both a national and local level, reflecting the level of interest in devolution more broadly across the country.

Selected press articles are shown below:

 

Financial Times

Bristol, Cardiff and Newport launch ‘Great Western Cities’

Bristol has become the latest UK city to brand itself an economic powerhouse, but a leading local business organisation warns plans to link with south Wales could prevent the west of England from striking its own financial deal with government.

“We mustn’t let the glamour of bigger deals distract us,” said James Durie, a director with Business West, the body representing west of England’s chambers of commerce.

 

The MJ

Great Western Cities 'big opportunity' for British economy

The Severn region has the potential to become Britain’s next major economic ‘powerhouse,’ according to a new report launched today.

 

Local Gov

Report makes case for Great Western Powerhouse

Bristol, Cardiff and Newport could join together to become Britain’s next major economic ‘powerhouse’, according to a new report.

The report argues that collaboration between the 'Great Western Cities (GWC)' could strengthen the voice of the west in UK economic and public policy decisions.

 

Insider Media Limited

Great Western Cities Could Become a 'Powerhouse'

The Severn region, including the cities of Bristol, Cardiff and Newport, has the potential to be a major economic powerhouse, according to a new report.

Commissioned by the three Great Western Cities and authored by Metro Dynamics, the report examines the benefits of greater collaboration.

  

BBC Points West

Paul Barltropp, Political Editor, covered the event. 

 

BBC Online

Bristol, Cardiff and Newport cities alliance moves a step closer

A collaboration between the cities of Bristol, Cardiff and Newport to boost the economy in the West has moved a step closer.

The city councils will work together, rivalling England's so-called northern powerhouse, under the Great Western Cities plan, first unveiled last year.

 

Bristol Post

Severn region of Bristol, Cardiff and Newport could create new economic 'powerhouse' - report

The Severn region has the potential to become Britain's next major economic 'powerhouse' according to a new report.

It examines the benefits of greater sharing, matching and learning between the three city regions - Bristol, Cardiff and Newport - including an influential role for universities and businesses.

 

Wales Online

Cardiff, Newport and Bristol could together become Britain's next economic powerhouse, claims report

A report by the Great Western Cities identifies major potential for the three city regions in strengthening transport links, expanding renewable energy and improving their international profile.

 

Bristol 24/7

Powerhouse won't 'cut across' devolution plan

A "Great Western Powerhouse" across the Severn Estuary does not "cut across" devolution agreements between Bristol and its surrounding authorities, the mayor insisted.

Bristol, Newport and Cardiff are proposing an economic partnership known as the Great Western Cities, launched in Bristol on Friday.

 

Bristol 24/7

Opinion piece: What the Great Western Cities deal means

Britain’s Western Powerhouse was launched today. It is an interesting initiative from the cities of Bristol, Cardiff and Newport. With a focus on connectivity and economic collaboration, it’s an attempt to show how the West can compete with the emerging Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine, albeit on a somewhat smaller scale.

With a proliferation of names, including Western Powerhouse, Severn Powerhouse, and Great Western Cities (GWC) Powerhouse, the initiative is about illustrating the strength of this area as a net contributor to UK plc and just how much more could be achieved through increased collaboration.

 

Bristol Business Online

A tale of three cities – Bristol, Newport and Cardiff team up bring Western Powerhouse closer

A Western Powerhouse to rival that of the North of England came a step closer today when Bristol, Cardiff and Newport unveiled the results of a major research project underpinning the concept.

 

BBC Radio Bristol

John Darvall show (9am – 12am)

Discussion with callers on the subject of Great Western Cities throughout the show including an interview with Bristol Mayor, George Ferguson (2hrs36min).

 

Emma Britton (6:30am-9am)

Cllr Elfan Ap Rees on air at 1hr4mins.

 

South Wales Argus

City leaders from Bristol, Cardiff and Newport discuss becoming new economic powerhouse

Newport, Cardiff and Bristol could become the newest economic ‘powerhouse’ in Britain, a report has claimed.

According to the report published today, by Great Western Cities, forging closer links between businesses, councils and universities in the three cities while improving transport links in the region would boost their influence on the national and international stage.