Glasgow region should have directly elected mayor suggests think tank

The greater Glasgow region needs a directly-elected mayor and a devolution deal to avoid falling behind other large UK cities, a think tank has recommended.

The Centre for Cities said Glasgow could be missing out on billions in funding without the changes.

A report, The Missing Piece In The Big Cities’ Jigsaw, claimed Scotland’s GDP would be 4.6% larger than it is now if Glasgow’s economy performed in line with the average for cities its size.

In England there are 10 combined local authorities which have a metro mayor. The process of local devolution began a decade ago with Greater Manchester.

Andrew Carter, chief executive of Centre for Cities, said: “The UK is taking a city-region led approach to economic growth because cities are at the frontier of innovation and economic growth.

“Glasgow has an important role in this, with the potential to make an added economic contribution the size of Scotland’s oil and gas sector if it harnesses its size to generate more cutting-edge activity.

“English cities with metro mayors have in the last week been allocated billions to invest in local public transport networks and R&D.

“Scotland, too, needs its big cities to make a greater contribution to the economy.

“A directly-elected mayor for the Glasgow city region would bring much-needed leadership, accountability and the ability to shape growth around the city’s needs.”

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Glasgow is key to driving the Scottish economy, which is why the Scottish Government is partly funding the city-region’s £1.13 billion growth deal.

“We have also supported Glasgow city region’s £160 million investment zone, with additional funding for electric vehicle infrastructure and skills development.

“We are working with partners to explore ways of devolving further powers to regional economic partnerships, including Glasgow city region, with the aim of presenting options to Ministers by the end of this Parliament.”