West Midlands cities are out-performing or in line with the UK average on work-life balance and income distribution, according to newly published research out today.
The 'Good Growth for Cities Index', published by financial services firm PwC, said this was measured by an increase in the proportion of employed people working fewer than 45 hours a week and income distribution as an indicator of wealth equity.
The report ranks 50 of the UK's largest cities, those with populations of at least 350,000 people, plus the London boroughs as a whole and the findings are based on the public's assessment of 12 economic measures.
These included jobs, health, income, safety and skills, work-life balance, housing, commuting times, income equality, high street shops, environment and business start-ups.
Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton and Walsall ranked above the UK average for safety while Coventry and Stoke-on-Trent out-performed the UK average on skills in the 25 and over age bracket and transport respectively.
Health and environment indicators were in line with the UK average across all the West Midlands cities included in the index.
However, the report states that the West Midlands is expected to see the second weakest economic growth in both 2023 and 2024, with a growth rate of -0.20 per cent in 2023 and 0.74 per cent in 2024. This growth is lower than the UK average of 0.05 per cent in 2023 and 0.99 per cent in 2024.
PwC's research suggested Birmingham was the lowest-performing West Midlands city in this year's analysis, ranking 47th out of 50 UK cities in the Index, decreasing from its 2022 ranking of 46th.
The city out-performed the UK average on work-life balance indicators and was in line with the UK average on health, new businesses, affordability of housing, transport, skills, income distribution, the environment and safety. Areas for improvement include jobs, income and high streets.
Coventry is ranked 27th out of 50 UK cities, decreasing from 21st in 2022 while Stoke-on-Trent is ranked 21st, improving from 26th in 2022.
The Good Growth for Cities Index was established in 2011 and is updated annually.
Matthew Hammond, PwC UK Midlands market leader and Birmingham senior partner, said: "The PwC 2023 Good Growth for Cities report highlights key areas in which the West Midlands performs below the UK average, including overall economic growth.
"The 2022 PwC economic outlook analysis showed that the region's economic output remained around 3.3 per cent smaller than pre-pandemic levels and identified the Midlands as one of the regions with most potential for growth.
"The post-pandemic opportunities which will drive inclusive growth across the region are centred on our growth stock sectors - advanced manufacturing, med tech and life sciences, digital and creative technologies, future mobility and low carbon technologies, supported by financial, business and professional services.
"Future growth sectors should be used as a roadmap of opportunity, with continued support from public and private businesses, our world class universities, local and central government."
