This is how bad the north-south divide in the UK has become

For every 12 new private sector jobs created in the south of England over the last decade, one private sector job has disappeared in the north, a new report claims today.

While the number of overall jobs increased in London between 2004 and 2013 by 17 per cent, in Rochdale they slipped by 12.2 per cent and in Blackpool by 10.9 per cent.

The report comes as the government talks up its plans to build a "northern powerhouse" in the region's towns and cities.

The Tory-led government came to office promising to rebalance the economy, but instead we’ve seen too many parts of Britain held back.

• Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna

Downing Street said devolving power to local councils, creating directly elected mayors such as in Greater Manchester and HS2 should close the gap.

Source: Centre for Cities

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