Leeds
Major West Yorkshire city and economic centre for the wider city-region.
Leeds City Council's 2026 plan put the city's local-authority population at about 812,000 and named Leeds as the core of a wider city-region.
Last refreshed: 22 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Will Reform's council group losses change local power in Leeds?
Timeline for Leeds
Mentioned in: Reform loses councillors after ITV clips
UK Local Elections 2026Background
Leeds is West Yorkshire's regional capital and the core of a city-region containing 2.3 million people. Leeds City Council's 2026 plan put the local-authority population at about 812,000, up 8.1 per cent since 2011. It valued the local economy at £36 billion and described it as diverse, resilient and faster-growing than The National economy.
Since the 1990s, Leeds has shifted from a post-industrial city towards financial and professional services, digital technology, health innovation and creative industries. The council identifies finance and professional services, health, and digital and technology as its major growth sectors. The city's universities and large teaching hospital add research, education and healthcare to that commercial base.
What changed in Reform UK's Leeds council group?
How large is Leeds?
Where is Leeds?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 22 October 2026. Editorial standards.