It's not often I agree with a government minister, but Greg Clark has got the Centre for Cities bang to rights (The MJ, 20 January).

As an economic migrant from Manchester in the 1970s, I am well aware of the differences in economic opportunity in parts of the UK. However, where I agree with the minister is that the current methodology used by the Centre of Cities is actually painting a worse picture than needed of the local economies of the North and Midlands.