Towns are now in the policy spotlight. The reasons for this are all too clear: Brexit; the productivity puzzle; economic inequality; the decline of traditional high streets; and, a concern about what this means for local and national culture and identity.

This follows a period in which Government has begun to focus on the role that major metropolitan areas outside London can play in becoming regional economic hubs. In achieving this goal, we argue that towns and cities shouldn’t be pitted against each other in policy terms.