While Bristol’s economy booms, the gap between rich and poor widens

Bristol’s successful and highly productive economy is failing to address widespread inequalities across the city.

It is this disparity in the distribution of wealth that a new strategy for inclusive and sustainable growth is seeking to end.

“We have a powerful economy and high levels of productivity, and yet, huge numbers of our children are in poverty and the gap between rich and poor is growing,” said mayor Marvin Rees, as he set out the council’s vision.

“We want to use this strategy as a basis for our conversations with Government. If we get the right kind of growth, one that is inclusive, then we create a society that puts less demands on public services.”

Marvin Rees says we need an economy that works for everyone in the city

The catchily-titled inclusive and sustainable economic growth strategy (I&SEGS) has been commissioned through an external consultancy firm at a cost of £94,000 – allocated from earmarked reserves for place development.

It will be aligned with the One City Plan and will act as a framework for prioritising initiatives and business case proposals in the future.

“It’s going to be a lot of talking about homes and transport and, in particular, how we connect people to jobs,” continued Rees. “We need people around the world to know that Bristol is open for business and that we are open for everyone.

“We have to have an economy that works for people.”

Martin Fodor says environmental concerns must form a key part in the strategy. Photo by Matt Buck

While fully endorsing the principles of the strategy, Green councillor for Redland Martin Fodor raised concerns about the lack of environmental issues in the cabinet papers.

“Most worrying, there’s no reference to climate change, as an economic opportunity as well as a threat, and to the sectors we need to be growing if we want to be a part of a thriving future economy,” said Fodor in a statement.

“However inclusive the prosperity, the more of it we can host, the better for all the communities in the city.”

In reply, Rees said: “We have been clear that we see social justice and environmental justice as inseparable.”

One of a number of cabinet members to add their support to the vision, deputy mayor Asher Craig said: “It’s going to be really important that this strategy ensures that success is inclusive to all communities.”

She added that she has already received an email from one of the council’s partnership organisations welcoming the news that the city is finally ready to listen to the communities who have never before had a voice.

‘Bristol needs mixed communities’

Cabinet member for housing, Paul Smith said: “We cannot just leave it to the market and expect that a free market system will generate the amount of housing that the city needs. I think a city where nobody has to sleep on the streets is very important.

“But we do not want to have gated communities and ghettos, we want a city of mixed communities.”

Read more: Bristol: A tale of two cities