Ten of top 12 most declining UK cities are in north of England – report

Ten of the top 12 most declining UK cities are in the north of England, a report says, prompting calls for the government to ensure its devolution agenda does not only benefit big northern cities.

A study from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) analysed the fortunes of 74 UK cities with populations of more than 100,000, developing an index of relative decline based on changes in employment rates, levels of highly qualified workers, the number and type of full-time jobs, net migration rates and population change.

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Rochdale, Burnley and Bolton topped the list of cities that have fared the worst compared with national trends, and Hull and Grimsby were at five and six. No city in the south of England featured in the top 24 of the index.

Researchers from the Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies at Newcastle University, which conducted the study along with the JRF, said George Osborne should ensure all parts of the north benefited from his “northern powerhouse” project.

The project aims to boost economic growth in the north of England – particularly the “core cities” of Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle – and rebalance the UK economy away from London and the south-east, partly by devolving political power to northern regions. The researchers said their report demonstrated the need for areas outside the biggest cities to share the benefits of investment and devolution.

Andy Pike, co-author of the report and professor of local and regional development at Newcastle University, said: “Economic and social conditions in UK cities are diverging and increasingly different. Many cities in the north are growing but are failing to keep up with national trends.”

He added: “If the commitment to rebalancing in the UK is meaningful then greater policy attention and resources by central and local government needs to be focused upon the particular needs of these cities lagging behind.”

Josh Stott, policy and research manager at JRF, said: “Britain has the potential to become a more prosperous country, with George Osborne’s northern powerhouse playing a key role in rebalancing the economy. But it must reach all parts of the north to ensure prosperity is shared.

“To rebalance the economy and ensure local growth provides opportunity for all households, the Treasury needs to ensure areas outside of core cities are not left behind. City leaders – with a new suite of powers at their disposal – must also show leadership to do their part to ensure growth and prosperity is shared by all.”