Top ten: Portsmouth on the up in Good Growth for Cities Index

The latest Good Growth for Cities Index paints a detailed picture of how UK cities are performing against the public’s own priorities for economic success.

Importantly for our city, Portsmouth has made one of the biggest leaps forward in this year’s report, climbing nine places to reach ninth position overall.

This recognition is an encouraging sign that Portsmouth is making tangible progress in the areas that matter most to residents, workers and businesses alike.

Published by professional services multinational PwC and cross-party think tank Demos, the Index looks beyond economic measures such as GDP to focus on what people say really defines prosperity.

Each year, more than 2,000 working-age adults across the UK rank 12 factors that shape quality of life and opportunity. They include jobs, housing, health, income, transport, skills and the strength of local high streets.

Cities are then scored on their performance against these public priorities. The result is an assessment of how well places are doing at delivering inclusive, visible growth that people can feel in their daily lives.

This year’s survey reveals an important shift. Financial measures such as income and income distribution, while still important, are declining in priority. Rising instead are factors that people see and experience directly: good transport, accessible housing, strong skills provision and thriving high streets. In short, prosperity is being redefined around the foundations of everyday life.

For Portsmouth the good news is that we have risen significantly to secure a top-ten spot, which helps make the case that we are one of the fastest-improving cities in the UK.

Several factors underpin this improvement including:

• Jobs and skills: Employment has stabilised post-pandemic, and skill levels among both younger and older workers are recovering. The city’s universities, colleges and training providers are helping strengthen the skills pipeline for industries such as digital, maritime, defence and creative sectors.
• Housing: Despite national pressures on affordability, Portsmouth has seen a modest rise in home ownership rates. Development projects and regeneration schemes across the city are beginning to make an impact, offering new housing options while supporting local infrastructure.
• High Streets and business activity: Like many urban centres, Portsmouth’s high streets have faced challenges over recent years. However, continued investment in the city centre, Southsea and district shopping areas has improved footfall and the retail mix. A strong independent business community, coupled with cultural attractions and events, has helped reinforce the city’s sense of place.

Portsmouth’s performance puts us ahead of many regional competitors. Southampton, for example, fell four places this year, while Plymouth dropped five. Portsmouth’s climb suggests that its growth strategy is aligning more closely with what matters to people locally – a balance of secure jobs, accessible housing, reliable transport and vibrant community life.

The message is clear: growth that people can see and feel is what builds trust and resilience. For Portsmouth, this means doubling down on the areas where progress has already been made while ensuring growth is inclusive and benefits communities across the city.

As a locally-based business, we see first-hand the resilience, creativity and ambition of our city. The Good Growth for Cities Index confirms what many of us already know: Portsmouth is on the rise, and with continued focus and collaboration, it is taking its place as one of the UK’s most inclusive and future-ready cities. The challenge now is to maintain this momentum and ensure that every resident and business feels the benefit of Portsmouth’s upward trajectory.

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