New national data places Milton Keynes among a small number of UK cities where economic growth over the past decade has been accompanied by rising employment, household incomes and continued capacity to expand.
According to Cities Outlook 2026, published by Centre for Cities, Milton Keynes is one of 11 cities where real economic output growth since 2013 has coincided with growth in real disposable household income. In most UK cities, the report finds that growth and living standards have moved in different directions over the same period.
Between 2013 and 2023, Milton Keynes recorded real economic output growth of 22.7 per cent, compared with a national urban average of 18.4 per cent. Over the same period, real disposable income per person increased by 2.9 per cent, compared with a national average of 2.4 per cent.
The report identifies employment as a contributing factor. More than 80 per cent of the city’s working-age population is in work, placing Milton Keynes among the ten highest-performing UK cities for employment rate. The city also ranks near the top nationally for the proportion of private-sector jobs relative to publicly funded employment.
Productivity data shows Milton Keynes remains among the UK’s top ten cities for output per hour worked. Higher productivity is associated with higher workplace wages and greater concentrations of private-sector, knowledge-based employment.
Housing supply has increased alongside population and employment growth. Milton Keynes recorded the highest rate of housing stock growth in the UK between 2023 and 2024, according to the report, adding more than 2,000 homes over the year. Centre for Cities notes that housing delivery plays a role in supporting labour mobility in growing urban economies.
The data also shows a reduction in income deprivation across the city. More than half of neighbourhoods classified as income deprived in 2010 were no longer in that category by 2025, placing Milton Keynes among a small group of cities where deprivation levels have shifted over the period.
Chris Curtis, MP for Milton Keynes North and chair of the Labour Growth Group, said: “Cities Outlook 2026 once again provides invaluable insight into how our cities drive national growth. The report makes a vital contribution to a serious, evidence-led approach, grounded in a clear understanding of how different places contribute to the national economy. The ability to compare Milton Keynes with other UK cities across a broad range of economic indicators is hugely valuable and, I hope, can play an important role in informing better, more effective policy-making. Unlocking the full potential of our cities means focusing on the fundamentals that make growth possible, strong transport links, skilled workforces, the homes people need, innovation and effective devolution. Analysis like this is essential if we are to boost productivity and ensure growth delivers higher living standards across the country.”
Centre for Cities concludes that cities where economic growth aligns with employment, incomes and housing delivery are better placed to sustain expansion. Milton Keynes is identified as one of a limited number of UK cities currently meeting those conditions.
