Devon cities top the list of best in Britian

Plymouth came first

Plymouth is the best places to live and work in Britain, according to research by a global consultancy firm..

Britain’s Ocean City came out as number one in an index measuring economic performance and quality of life by PwC, with Exeter coming in sixth place out of 51 cities assessed.

Work-life balance, distribution of income, skills and jobs were key factors for Plymouth whilst Exeter was said to be making improvements in these areas too.

The south west performed well in general with Bristol in second place and Swindon fourth, scoring above the UK average for health,  safety and skills.

Plymouth City Council leader Tudor Evans (Lab, Ham) said he is delighted after  the hard work put into the city, but added “we are not finished yet”.

Cities were assessed on 12 criteria – health, income, jobs, safety, skills, work-life balance, housing, commuting to work times, income equality, high street shops environment and business start-ups.

Manchester, London and Birmingham came within the bottom 10 locations, where large waiting lists for social housing made them among the lowest performing areas.

The East of England and Yorkshire are home to some of PcW’s highest improving cities.

Plymouth is often ranked highly for its affordability and in 2022 it was said to be one of the cheapest cities in the UK for student accommodation and on average cheaper to rent than in Exeter, Falmouth and Bristol.

The 2024 Good Growth For Citites index by PwC highlights business growth in the city where more than 300 new businesses have opened since 2021 and 7,000 jobs created over the last two years.

Cllr Evans said the earnings gap is lower in Plymouth than other places and the council is focused on raising wages and creating higher paid jobs.

“Our productivity is good, and whilst economic performance is important, we recognise in Plymouth that people have a life outside of work. Plus the air is sweeter down here, we live near the sea and most of our schools are good or excellent so it’s great for families.”

Mr Evans said after covid he set up the Plymouth Charter to promote good growth and encourage businesses to look after staff well.

“Companies who treat their workers well perform better and that message has been embraced wholeheartedly by the business community,” he said.

The council has been successful in secured external funding – more than £100 million – and is spending £3 million a week on projects to attract investment. The £30 million regeneration of Armada Way begins next month and it is claimed it will transform the city centre and revitalise the night-time economy.

Devonport Dockyard employs 2,500 service personnel and civilians but the city is striving for a more diverse economy with 14 per cent of the country’s marine industry production taking place in Plymouth.  The city also enjoys, advanced engineering and manufacturing sectors, goether with a booming cultural scene, including the Theatre Royal and The Box museum and art gallery,

There are also plans for more leisure facilities and a £25 million collaboration with Plymouth Argyle for a community sports hub at Brickfields, the home of Plymouth Albion.

“There’s much to do, we are not finished yet but we have reason to be optimistic, it’s going to be an exciting year” said Cllr Evans.

PwC’s report notes a marked improvement in jobs nationally but a decline in housing, with cost of living pressures impacting housing affordability and access to adequate healthcare.

It said the UK economy is steadily recovering following recession towards the end of 2023, driven by an uplift in business, improvements in household finances and a declining trend in inflation.

Leader of Exeter City Council Cllr Phil Bialyk (Lab, Exwick) said he is pleased Exeter is in the top 10.

“We work hard with all our partners in and around Exeter to keep it there,” he said.

“Home, jobs and facilities are important to us and we are pleased that the government will be bringing in revised planning proposals on house building because it is vital that we have enough homes.”

He said the city needed a “good and reliable transport system.”