How Preston – the UK’s “most improved city” – became a success story for Corbynomics

The Lancashire city has transformed its growth model through public investment and innovation.

The refurbished Preston Bus Station on 25 September 2018. The Brutalist structure was destined for demolition until Lancashire county council invested A£35.3m in its refurbishment. (Photo By Getty Images)

Labour may not be in government but its ideas are already reshaping Britain. This week’s Budget resembled a raid on the party’s manifesto: higher spending on the NHS, higher government borrowing (rather than seeking a budget surplus), a digital services tax and the abolition of PFIs.

And beyond Westminster, Corbynomics is already being implemented. There is no more successful example than Preston. The Lancashire city, which I reported from earlier this year, has been named the UK’s most improved urban area in a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers and Demos (Preston was ranked 14th overall, ahead of London in 15th place).