Alan Whitehead

Labour Party | Southampton Test

Southampton top three city for sustainable growth & building opportunity

Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test, is delighted today to see that Southampton has been ranked third in the Country for sustainable growth and its ability to build opportunity, in an Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Report. It also means that Southampton has experienced above average employment and population growth between 1996 and 2004.

The report comes on the back of new labour market statistics published last month that show Southampton’s unemployment rate has been cut in half since 1997 (see http://www.alan-whitehead.org.uk/pr/2007/june14.html). 

The IPPR Centre for Cities report compared employment levels, population growth and skills levels for towns and cities across England, with Southampton coming out as one of the top performers in all categories. The report also shows a general trend of Southern cities outperforming their northern counterparts. Challenges facing England’s cities are also outlined with transport noted as a key for improving productivity and economic growth.

Alan Whitehead MP said:
“It was great to see that Southampton is amongst the top three performing cities in England, and is a fitting tribute to all the hard work and high aspirations of the people and businesses of Southampton.”

He added:
“I have been campaigning for some time to improve the transport infrastructure in and around Southampton and as this report points out this is a key challenge for the future. I will continue to work towards creating a joined-up transport system in southern Hampshire, so that the residents of Southampton and beyond can continue to see Southampton, and the wider region grow and prosper.”