Cities need to be empowered to deliver a proper, long-lasting recovery, says Cllr John Merry – but he adds there is a growing concern about whether the cash to fund the necessary change will be available

The network of urban centres that make up Key Cities played a major role in the response to the pandemic. And we can do the same in the all-important post-COVID recovery phase.

As the Government promotes its much-needed levelling up agenda, it is clear our cities are best placed to deliver the economic recovery ministers are looking for, both in the immediate aftermath of COVID and in the longer-term.