National praise for Milton Keynes

Just weeks after being named a Candidate Host City in England's bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018, Milton Keynes is in the national spotlight again being praised for coping with the credit crunch in a new report from independent thinktank Centre for Cities.

Milton Keynes, the UK's fastest growing city, is featured prominently in the Centre's City Outlook 2010 report, for its high employment rate and the quality of its workforce.  

Jenni Ferrans, the MKC Cabinet council member with responsibility for the economy, said: "We have always had unshaken faith that Milton Keynes could ride out the recession and these figures from Centre for Cities confirm that.  

"One of the key strengths we have is partnership working - with the council, Milton Keynes Partnership, MKELP working closely together and cutting through 'red tape' to get things moving very quickly.  

"This means when the recession hit we were able to use existing resources and relationships rather than spending time setting up new ones.  

"In these tight times we're not only ''weathering the storm' - we have been able to shake off the inertia of the credit crunch to make headway and positive gains."

Council Leader Sam Crooks said: "Milton Keynes is a burgeoning city in many ways - not least on the economic front and this report confirms what we have known for some time - we really are up there with the big boys. "Employment remains high, despite the recession, as is the quality of the workforce, and we are attracting thousands of people from all over the country to live and work here each year, as well nurturing our own home-grown talent."

The Milton Keynes Economic Task group, which includes the council, Milton Keynes Partnership (MKP), the Milton Keynes Economic & Learning Partnership, Business Link and Milton Keynes Council of Voluntary Organisations, has been working on a programme of recession busting activity in four areas:  

• Supporting businesses
• Developing skills and employment opportunities
• Supporting individuals and communities
• Developing the Milton Keynes 'offer'

Activity includes workshops, a package of financial support for local organisations, creating around 100 local jobs using the Government's Future Jobs Fund, and the launch of an online hub for advice and support during the economic downturn.  

According to the report in 2009 Milton Keynes had the second highest employment rate, at 80.2%, compared to the national average of around 74%.  

Of those jobs, MK was highly placed for the number of 'knowledge intensive' jobs, only being beaten into fourth place in the UK by the world famous learning seats of learning of Cambridge and Oxford, as well as arts and culture beacon Edinburgh.  

John Lewis, Chief Executive of Milton Keynes Partnership said:   "This flagship report is great news for Milton Keynes.  It identifies it as one of the top performing cities to lead Britain back to growth, in these very challenging times, and is further evidence that Milton Keynes is a real success story.  We welcome its publication, which will support the city's continued development and broaden its global appeal."

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