Productivity has become one of the defining economic questions of the past decade.
While the UK’s overall output growth has lagged behind some international competitors, the picture within the country is far from uniform.
Some cities are powering ahead with strong wages, thriving job markets and fast-growing business scenes, while others continue to wrestle with slower growth and weaker employment figures.
Milton Keynes is firmly placed in the former category, coming third only to Edinburgh and Cambridge, and pushing the nation’s capital into fourth place.
The new city grabbed a score of 64.95, helped by a particularly efficient daily routine. We have the shortest average commute in the country at just 11.3 minutes (1st). Economically, we perform strongly with GVA per hour at 120.8 (2nd) and GDP per capita of £59.9k (5th). Median earnings are £36,061 (7th), and job growth stands at 12.98% (4th).
Factors such as infrastructure, industry mix, innovation, and even the daily commute all play a role in shaping how much gets done in a working day.
A new study by Hype Presentations analysed a range of economic and lifestyle metrics across major UK areas to identify where productivity is strongest. The study looked at indicators including GVA per hour worked, GDP per capita, median annual earnings, employment and job growth rates, business start-ups, commute times and broadband speeds to build an overall productivity score for each location.
“Productivity might sound technical, but at its heart it’s about how much value is created in every hour worked,” said James Robinson from Hype Presentations, “When GVA per hour and GDP per capita are high, it usually means strong industries, skilled workers and efficient businesses are in place.
"Those foundations often translate into higher median earnings, because productive economies tend to reward talent and expertise.”
“Employment rates and job growth show whether that success is broad-based. A high employment rate suggests people are able to access work, while rising job numbers point to expanding businesses and confidence in the local economy. Business start-ups are another key signal. When new firms are launching, it reflects optimism and the potential for future growth,” he added.
“Practical factors also play a role. Shorter commute times can improve wellbeing and focus, while fast broadband is essential in a modern, digital economy. When you bring all these elements together, you start to see why certain areas pull ahead.
"Productivity isn’t just about working longer hours, it’s about having the right conditions to perform at your best.”
